The European Union’s green transition is one of the most ambitious climate goals in history, aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 as part of the European Green Deal. This groundbreaking agenda seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, revolutionise energy systems, and foster a sustainable, circular economy. But beneath the vision of cleaner air and greener cities lies a critical challenge: ensuring that this shift is fair for all. As regions and communities across Europe face differing impacts, the question of social justice is more urgent than ever.
Enter Thomas Pellerin-Carlin—a trailblazer in European energy and climate policy and a rising star in the European Parliament. As a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) with the progressive Place Publique party, Pellerin-Carlin has made it his mission to champion a green transition that puts people first. Since his election in June 2024, he has taken on prominent roles in the Parliament, serving on key committees for industry, research, energy, the environment, and budgetary control. His voice is loud and clear: Climate action cannot leave workers, rural communities, or vulnerable populations behind.
Pellerin-Carlin brings a wealth of experience to his work. Before stepping into politics, he led the European program at the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) and founded the Jacques Delors Energy Centre. His reputation as a forward-thinker extends to academia, where he is teaching at Sciences Po Paris and the College of Europe. With expertise in policymaking and on-the-ground realities, he’s been described as a policymaker who “gets things done.”
In this exclusive interview, Pellerin-Carlin shares his bold ideas for bridging the gap between Europe’s green ambitions and the everyday lives of its citizens. From advocating for social leasing schemes to make electric vehicles affordable for rural workers to pushing back against short-term political backtracking, his vision is as urgent as it is inspiring.
This is a conversation with a man who believes that the green transition is not just a climate mission—it’s a social revolution.
Q: Affordability and social justice are often brought up in discussions about the green transition. Do you think the EU has succeeded in making the transition fair, or is there more to be done?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
Much more needs to be done. The EU has made some progress, particularly when it comes to workers in industries like coal mining, which are scaling down. But when it comes to mobility and ensuring that electric vehicles are affordable for working people, close to nothing has been done.
Take, for instance, rural nurses. During my campaign, I met a nurse in rural Normandy who drives 150 kilometres daily to visit patients. She switched from an SUV to an electric car and is now saving €1,500 a year, even with conservative estimates on petrol and electricity costs. But she could only afford this because she had some investment capacity. What about workers who can’t make that upfront investment of €30,000? For many, that’s equivalent to 18 months of income.
This is why I’m advocating for a European-scale social leasing scheme for electric vehicles. Such a program could make EVs accessible to the working men and women who form the backbone of our societies.
Q: How would a social leasing scheme for electric vehicles be financed at the EU level?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
The money is already available. For example, Poland is considering using Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding to implement a social leasing scheme inspired by the French model but adapted to their context. The RRF funds are available until 2026. Beyond that, we have the Social Climate Fund starting in 2026 and revenues from the Emissions Trading System (ETS) in 2027.
It’s just a matter of earmarking these funds for policies that prioritise affordability and accessibility. If we start now, we can ensure that a million affordable electric vehicles are in the hands of rural and working-class Europeans. This would not only make the green transition fairer but also show that it’s working for everyone, not just urban elites.
Q: The EU often emphasises long-term strategies. Do you think it’s effectively implementing long-term thinking, or is there room for improvement?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
The first rule of long-term thinking, like in medicine, is “first, do no harm.” That means not dismantling policies we’ve just agreed on. Unfortunately, there are efforts underway to undo CO2 standards for cars that were finalised in 2023. This would be a massive step backwards and undermine our credibility as policymakers.
If we want to think long-term, we need to maintain consistency and avoid reopening debates unnecessarily. Dismantling existing policies creates uncertainty and delays progress, which is the last thing we need in the face of climate change.
Q: In the current era of geopolitical tension, what role does the green transition play in Europe’s strategic autonomy?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
Energy is central to geopolitical power. Right now, countries like Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia wield immense influence because of their control over oil and gas. These are not regimes that promote global stability or democracy. By reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we weaken their power and reduce the funding that fuels their destabilising activities.
Take lithium, for example. The world’s biggest producers are Australia and Chile—two stable democracies. Shifting to renewables and electric vehicles not only benefits the planet but also strengthens alliances with countries that share our values.
For Europe, the green transition is not just about the environment; it’s a matter of security and independence. A world powered by solar and wind is a safer world for everyone, including Europeans, Armenians, and even citizens of authoritarian regimes.
Q: How can the EU make the benefits of the green transition more visible to everyday citizens?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
We need to highlight who really benefits from the transition. First, it’s the most vulnerable members of society: children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses. These groups suffer the most from air pollution, and transitioning to cleaner energy will save lives.
Second, it’s rural workers who drive long distances daily. Electric cars make economic sense for people who drive a lot, in areas where they can charge at home. For them, the savings are significant. However, without policies like a social leasing scheme, they’re often unable to afford the initial investment.
Communicating these benefits clearly and showing tangible results will help counter the narrative that the green transition only serves urban elites.
Q: What is your perspective on the urgency of the green transition in the face of rising global temperatures?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
The longer we delay, the higher the cost—economically, environmentally, and geopolitically. Every euro we invest in renewables strengthens our democracies as it weakens regimes that thrive on fossil fuels and
From a security standpoint, history shows that energy independence is crucial. Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II was largely due to a lack of access to oil. Today, our reliance on oil and gas empowers regimes that want to destroy European values. The faster we transition to renewables, the safer we’ll be.
Q: What final message would you like to share with our readers?
Thomas Pellerin-Carlin:
The green transition isn’t just an environmental imperative; it’s a geopolitical and social necessity. We need policies like a social leasing scheme to ensure that the transition benefits everyone, especially the working-class people who keep our societies running.
On a broader scale, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels weakens authoritarian regimes and makes the world a safer place. Investing in renewables is an investment in democracy, security, and a sustainable future.
Now is the time to act decisively. A greener Europe is not just a dream; it’s the pathway to a stronger, fairer, and more secure continent.
About the authors
Thomas Jérémie Hayden-Lefebvre is the Founder and Editor of the Green Mobility Magazine, an award-winning multimedia organisation that delivers authoritative and original insights on the nexus between transportation and sustainability. He established the Green Mobility Magazine in 2021, driven by his passion for tackling one of the world’s most pressing challenges, transport decarbonisation, through media and collaboration.
Outside of his journalistic endeavours, Thomas advises clients on their sustainability communications & EU advocacy, and is a strong proponent of visually-led “policy comms“.
Thomas lives in France, and speaks English, French, and a bit of Portuguese.
Sandhya Kalyan is a final-year law student currently studying at Cardiff University. Sandhya completed an Insight Scheme (Internship) as Jr. Writer with the Green Mobility Magazine in 2025.
