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Short abstract:

This paper investigates the role of the digital imaginary in legitimizing the EU discourse on the “twin transition”. While tensions between economic and sustainability aims are transformed into win-win solutions, the EU discourse guides national allocation of funds that prioritize economic growth.

Long abstract:

This paper contributes to the literature that critically engages with the so-called “twin green and digital transition”. Our research question is: why and how is the twin transition discourse legitimised and implemented in the European Union (EU) despite recognised pitfalls and uncertainties? To address this question we apply a (1) theoretical approach that shows how technoscientific innovation, as imaginary, displays a hybrid character beyond modern distinctions between fact and values in EU governance discourse, and (2) an interpretative text analysis of EU policy documents on the “twin transition” and of Member States’ recovery and resilience plans. We first assess the historical, political and economic conditions which are constitutive of the meaning of the discourse, so it comes to be seen as desirable. We argue that digital technologies are invoked as imaginaries that transform and reframe tensions between economic and sustainability policy aims into synergies and win-win solutions. Legitimacy is derived not only from the promise of win-win solutions but also from the claimed ability of governing institutions to steer the twin transitions in the desired direction and avoid the recognised risks. With regard to implementation, the twin transition logic guided the allocation of funds by framing the need to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to accelerate the green and digital transitions. So, digital imaginary is central to the National Recovery and Resilience Plans. However, in the material practice, funding is directed to national interests that prioritize economic growth and strengthen the advancing of the European single market.