In this episode of the “Just Transitions - a Global Exploration” series, Professor Vera Trappmann speaks to Dr Ursula Balderson about the Foundation Industries: how they can transition to Net Zero, how the energy crisis has affected the industry, and what the government is (or isn’t) doing to support the transition.

This project is funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation – Just Transition: Aktivitäten im internationalen Vergleich 2021-582-2. 

Visit the project webpage. 

The research on the foundation industry is also available as a report with the European Trade Union Institute, funded by the European Climate Foundation. 

This podcast episode was recorded remotely in July and October 2023. If you would like to get in touch regarding this podcast, please contact research.lubs@leeds.ac.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. 

About the speakers:

Vera Trappmann is Professor of Comparative Employment Relations at Leeds University Business School. Her research engages with the comparison of labour relations across Europe, focussing on the dynamics of economic and organisational restructuring and its impact on working biographies, and organized labour.  Currently climate crisis and just transition are her main focus.  

Dr Ursula Balderson is a postdoctoral research associate on a project on Work, Labour and Climate Change. She is an interdisciplinary social scientist interested in how the transition to a greener economy can improve worker well-being and quality of life.