Looking for a ‘just transition’: Sustainable forestry in Sweden and biodiverse beet sugar production in Denmark

This article aims to identify contradictions between visions of just transition and their realisation in practice, particularly the extent to which labour and nature are respected, with examples of forestry in Sweden and the beet sugar industry in Denmark. The case studies provide insight into the formation and local implementations of the just transition vision promoted by the ITUC and ILO, representing a call for the ecological modernisation of the economy. The cases illustrate its Northern European roots and limitations. Although a multi-scalar perspective positions union agency as embedded in interwoven spatial scales, particular power relations remain prevalent. Despite being formally represented through social dialogue structures at the national and European levels, Swedish and Danish unions appear to have limited involvement at the local level, with environmental and social justice effectively defined by corporate social responsibility policies. The apparent consensus hides a series of challenges: employment rights and protections in the transition, including for a significant number of migrant workers, meaningful union involvement on the ground, and a light-touch approach to environmental concerns so as not to disrupt production objectives. Ultimately, nature and labour remain positioned against each other, and unions are caught between environmentalists and employers.