The European Union Vice-President Teresa Ribera takes the stage at LSE offering a unique opportunity to engage with one of Europe's leading policymakers in a conversation that will shape the future of economic and environmental policy.
In an era of rising inequality and economic transformation, the question of how to achieve fair and inclusive prosperity is more pressing than ever. At the same time, the green transition is reshaping industries, labor markets, and policies worldwide. But can economic justice be realized without a strong environmental agenda? Is sustainability a prerequisite for long-term prosperity, or can alternative paths lead to fair growth? This exclusive dialogue with Teresa Ribera, invites participants to delve into these pressing questions. With a distinguished background in environmental law and policy, Ribera brings a wealth of experience in crafting strategies that bridge economic growth with environmental stewardship. This event is chaired by Prof. Rodríguez-Pose, Princesa de Asturias Chair and Director of the Cañada Blanch Centre.
Economic research increasingly suggests that green investments drive job creation, enhance resilience, and reduce long-term costs associated with environmental degradation. Studies from leading institutions highlight that nations prioritizing sustainability tend to foster innovation and remain competitive in an evolving global market. Conversely, neglecting environmental concerns risks deepening social disparities and exposing economies to the destabilizing effects of climate change. However, some argue that strict environmental policies may impose burdens on certain industries and workers, raising important questions about how to ensure an equitable transition.
Throughout this dialogue, Ribera will reflect on these findings and explore how the European Union’s Green Deal aims to balance social equity with ambitious climate goals. Bringing together policymaking experience and economic evidence, this discussion will challenge assumptions about growth, fairness, and sustainability. It offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the future of economic policy and whether a truly inclusive prosperity might flourish within—or perhaps cannot exist without—a robust commitment to sustainability.
Ms. Teresa Ribera's task in the European Commission is to ensure that Europe stays on track for its goals set out in the European Green Deal, while driving the decarbonisation and industrialisation of our economy. She is responsible for:
- jointly coordinating the work on the Clean Industrial Deal, helping to unlock investment, boost clean tech and putting in place conditions for companies to grow and compete
- guiding the work implementing EU law to help reach our 2030 climate targets and to prepare a new architecture beyond 2030
- guiding the work to bring down energy prices, end our dependencies on fossil fuels, invest in clean energy infrastructure and address energy poverty
- steering investment and financing for a just and social transition, through dedicated funds and tax measures
Meet the Vice-President of the European Commission Teresa Ribera
Ms. Teresa Ribera is currently First Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and Commissioner for Competitiveness under the second Von der Leyen Commission. She previously served as the Minister for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of Spain since 2018. Notably, in 2019, she was responsible for organising the UNFCCC COP25 in Madrid.
Previously, from 2014 to 2018, she held the position of Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) and was involved in the negotiation of the Paris Climate Agreement. From 2008 to 2011, she served as Spanish Secretary of State for Climate Change and Biodiversity and was responsible for environmental and climate policies. Ribera holds a bachelor’s degree in Law from Complutense University of Madrid and a diploma in Constitutional Law and Political Science from the Centre for Constitutional Studies.
Meet our chair
Professor Andrés Rodríguez-Pose is the Princesa de Asturias Chair and a Professor of Economic Geography at the London School of Economics. He is the Director of the Cañada Blanch Centre LSE. He is a former Head of the Department of Geography and Environment between 2006 and 2009. He is a past-President of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) (2015-2017) and served as Vice-President of the RSAI in 2014. He was also Vice-President (2012-2013) and Secretary (2001-2005) of the European Regional Science Association.
More about this event
The Cañada-Blanch Centre at LSE is the vehicle to achieve the objective of the Fundación Cañada Blanch: developing and reinforcing the links between the United Kingdom and Spain. This is done by means of fostering cutting-edge knowledge generation and joint research projects between researchers in the United Kingdom, and at LSE in particular, on the one hand, and Spain, on the other.
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