Job quality and inclusive skills development are important to sustain public support

Job quality appears to play a role in shaping political discontent, according to Nordregio's research. Municipalities hosting large established industrial facilities with high greenhouse gas emissions often show lower levels of discontent and less support for populist parties. This is likely due to the economic security, stable employment and strong local tax bases these industries provide.

This has implications for the green transition. If jobs in traditional industrial sectors disappear and green jobs are perceived as less secure, lower paid or lacking career prospects, green transition initiatives may fail to gain public support, particularly in regions historically reliant on carbon-intensive industries.

Job quality appears to play a role in shaping political discontent, according to Nordregio's research. Municipalities hosting large established industrial facilities with high greenhouse gas emissions often show lower levels of discontent and less support for populist parties. This is likely due to the economic security, stable employment and strong local tax bases these industries provide.

This has implications for the green transition. If jobs in traditional industrial sectors disappear and green jobs are perceived as less secure, lower paid or lacking career prospects, green transition initiatives may fail to gain public support, particularly in regions historically reliant on carbon-intensive industries.

To counter this, policymakers must look beyond the absolute number of jobs created or lost during the green transition and pay closer attention to the quality of employment being offered.

To counter this, policymakers must look beyond the absolute number of jobs created or lost during the green transition and pay closer attention to the quality of employment being offered. This includes decent wages, stable contracts and labour protections. It also means investing in inclusive reskilling and upskilling programmes that enable workers in transition sectors to benefit from new opportunities. As the green transition reshapes labour markets, training systems must be designed to reach those who are most affected. Flexible formats, accessibility, financial support and alignment with local labour market needs are important to ensure the success of these efforts.

This includes decent wages, stable contracts and labour protections. It also means investing in inclusive reskilling and upskilling programmes that enable workers in transition sectors to benefit from new opportunities. As the green transition reshapes labour markets, training systems must be designed to reach those most at risk of being left behind. Flexible formats, accessibility, financial support and alignment with local labour market needs are important to ensure the success of these efforts.

Invest in green jobs and workforce development, emphasising job quality, decent wages, and inclusive access to reskilling and upskilling programmes.

Sánchez Gassen, N., Rohrer, L., Berlina, A., Ögland, L., Tapia, C., Cavicchia, R. & Lundgren, A. (2024).  Nordic toolbox for a just green transition. Nordregio Report 2024: 21, Stockholm: Nordregio. DOI: 10.6027/R2024:21.1403-2503.

Sánchez Gassen, N., Tapia, C., Chilvers, M., Dzhavatova, K. & Lundgren, A. (2025). Navigating Nordic discontent. Regional divides, electoral trends, and the green transition. Nordregio Policy Brief 2025:18, Stockholm: Nordregio. DOI: 10.6027/PB2025:18-2001-3876.

Tapia, C., Dzhavatova, K., Chilvers, M. & Sánchez Gassen, N. (forthcoming). Exploring the uneven landscape of Nordic discontent in the green transition.