The concept of green technology is widely regarded as one of the most promising strategies for addressing the global environmental crisis. It focuses on the development of technologies that reduce carbon emissions, minimize environmental harm, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainable development. In itself, this idea appears both rational and necessary: in an idealistic vision, humanity could gradually transition from the current economic model to one that is fully environmentally sustainable and safe. However, as researcher Béla Galgóczi notes, historical experience demonstrates that large-scale economic and technological transformations often lead to the emergence of new forms of inequality.

The full transition to a green economy can actually lead to serious socio-economic consequences. In the context of existing global inequality, this process may occur unevenly, as different countries have different capacities for adaptation. This means that countries that are not economically and socially ready for the transition may face additional difficulties and disproportionately high costs.

Why is this issue relevant for discussion? The relevance of this issue is explained by the fact that more developed countries have the ability to invest in the green transition, fully develop it, and support it at the required level. As a result, this deepens the existing gap between countries, since less developed states do not have comparable resources and capacities for adaptation.

Social Policy

The transition in question requires the involvement of the state, as such reforms may lead to economic and social costs. The introduction of environmental taxes, rising energy prices, and the need to modernize industry can particularly affect vulnerable groups of the population. In such situations, support from the state is always welcome and is even an essential part of the process, as the state can help mitigate negative consequences through redistributive mechanisms, compensation payments, and social protection. These measures make it possible to reduce the burden on low-income households and make the transition process more fair and inclusive. Without such support, the ecological transformation may lead to an increase in social inequality and a widening gap between different segments of society.

Labour Market Transformation + Historical Example

In addition to social policy, an important aspect of the green transition is labor market transformation. The transition to a low-carbon economy leads to a reduction in jobs in traditional, carbon-intensive industries while simultaneously creating new opportunities in sectors related to renewable energy and environmental technologies. However, such structural changes are accompanied by the problem of a mismatch between workers’ skills and the requirements of new industries, which may lead to rising unemployment and increased social vulnerability among certain groups of the population. In this regard, retraining and upskilling programs are essential, enabling workers to adapt to new labor market conditions.

The historical experience of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain demonstrates that large-scale technological changes can be accompanied by serious social consequences. The mechanization of production led to a decline in demand for manual labor, resulting in job losses and growing social discontent among workers. Such processes show that technological transformations, including the contemporary green transition, require well-designed adaptation policies; otherwise, they may exacerbate social inequality and lead to increased social tensions.

Financial Inequality as a Key Constraint

The transition to the technologies in question requires significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and innovation. However, access to financial resources is unevenly distributed across the world. Developed countries have the capacity to support large-scale environmental projects and subsidize the costs of transition for both businesses and households. At the same time, developing countries face limitations in access to international financing, higher interest rates, and existing debt burdens.

As a result, financially weaker countries tend to prioritize poverty reduction, social inequality, and the provision of basic infrastructure over green technologies and their transformation. This effectively leads to a situation in which the transition becomes a privilege rather than an ongoing universal process. Thus, financial inequality deepens the global gap between countries and may hinder the achievement of a truly fair and inclusive transition to green technologies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the concept of "green" technologies offers a promising solution to the global environmental crisis, its implementation in an unequal world faces significant challenges. As discussed earlier, the "green" transition is not a purely environmental process, but a complex socioeconomic transformation that impacts countries and social groups differently. Unequal access to financial resources, differences in technological development, and structural differences in labor markets contribute to the uneven distribution of both the costs and benefits of this transition.

Shuga Kozhageldi is an undergraduate student of International Relations at Suleyman Demirel University in Kazakhstan. Her academic interests include digital diplomacy, international communication, and global political trends.

References

Galgóczi, B. (2023). Inequality in the green transition. European Trade Union Institute.

International Labour Organization. (2015). Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all.

Deaton, A. (2021). COVID-19 and global inequality.

World Bank. (2021). World development report and inequality-related publications.

World Health Organization. (2021). Global health and inequality reports.

Sostero, M., et al. (2020). Telework and inequality during COVID-19.

Ferreira, F., et al. (2021). Inequality in the labor market during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://www.etui.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Chapter2-Inequality in the green transition_2023.pdf