ABSTRACT
The chapters in this volume underline that the Twin Transformation first and foremost is a political process. As mature technological solutions already exist in many areas, the major threats to the green and digital transformation have to do with social and political factors, both at the domestic and international levels. While some of these factors, e.g. geopolitical competition, are beyond the EU's direct sphere of influence, others, such as political and social resistance or lack of resources, can be overcome by determined political action within the EU. Given the profoundness of the changes required and its long-term nature, a successful Twin Transformation process will thus depend on strengthening its legitimacy as well as on increasing the directionality and effectiveness of its policy approach. Evidently, this will place heavy demands on EU institutions and national governments alike, but underlying that a new social contract between governments and political society in the European Union needs to build that is able to mobilise and sustain the long-term support necessary for the transformation. To this end, we propose a Twin Transformation agenda that defines overall objectives and principles, but also provides guidelines on specific policy areas. Concretely, upon the basis of a vision of solidarity for a European transformation society, we suggest six thematic pillars of action. These are (1) enhancing spaces for public participation, (2) ensuring a fair distribution of benefits and costs, (3) accelerating the transformation in key areas, (4) devising a governance framework with strong capacities and capabilities to implement reform policies, (5) closing the investment gap by extended funding mechanisms, and (6) cooperating with international partners on the global Twin Transformation.
