The fifth CINTRAN capacity building event for the coal+ regions will bring together practitioners’ voices from several European coal regions to help us understand how decision-makers can effectively bring youth on board in planning and implementation, and thereby jointly address their needs and expectations of the just transition.
This blog is in response to CINTRAN's fourth webinar in the Coal+ Regions in Transition event series. The fourth webinar took place on 6 December 2022 and presented on “Coping together: united communities & engaged governments for a just transition.” The webinar recording and presentation can be found at the end of the blog.
Dear reader! The CINTRAN project gladly provides you with the latest coaltransitions news. We report on challenges and theoretical tools for carbon-intensive transitions, a global inventory of coping strategies used to respond to decarbonisation efforts, and review Just Transition activities at the recent COP27 climate summit. Enjoy the read!
Phasing out the use of carbon-intensive fossil fuels is one of the main climate mitigation challenges. It was also on the political agenda at the recent COP27 climate summit, where states negotiated on how to implement coal phase-out around the world [1], and looked for lessons to inform fossil fuel phase-out strategies [2]. Such lessons can be informed by experiences from countries in which carbon-intensive transitions already unfold.
The UNFCCC’s 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) has just concluded in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. In the UNFCCC context, the Just Transition principle was first formally recognized in 2015 and consequently included in the preamble of the Paris Agreement. Trade unions had strongly pushed for this. Since then, “just transition” has established itself worldwide as the norm for implementing the far-reaching transformation processes.
The fourth CINTRAN capacity building event for the coal+ regions will provide an expert overview of the inventory of coping strategies and what it means for communities and governments. The event aims at practitioners across the coal+ regions in Europe.
The CINTRAN Coping Strategies Inventory catalogues the different ways that people and organisations are coping with the impacts of decarbonisation policy. Gathered by examining newspapers from the past seven years, and talking to people paying attention to decarbonisation locally, the Inventory contains over 800 individual actions that can be grouped into over 40 different strategies.
The CINTRAN project hosted the first Regions in Transition Academy, a face-to-face capacity-building event in CINTRAN focus region Western Macedonia.
In this blog Antje Grothus draws an interim conclusion of some of the key aspects of the agreement on the 2030 coal phase-out and the rescheduling of the Garzweiler opencast mine, as well as the announced dismantling of Lützerath. Antje Grothus is a resident in the Rhenish lignite region and member of the Green Party in North Rhine-Westphalia. She was also part of the German Coal Commission.
This issue of the CINTRAN network newletter focuses on the challenges of structural change in the German Rhineland region. We report on recent research into narratives used for shaping the debate, into understanding the social aspects of transition, we look at a mapping of perceived injustices in the transition process, and more. Enjoy the read!
This blog is in response to CINTRAN's third webinar in the Coal+ Regions in Transition event series. The third webinar took place on 20 September 2022 and presented on “Building socio-economic resilience in at-risk regions.” The webinar recording and presentations can be found at the end of the blog.
Europe has committed to turning climate neutral by 2050. Fossil-fuel dependent regions, already faced with energy, socio-economic and migration challenges, are expected to carry a disproportionate share of the burdens of the energy transition. To alleviate the excess burden of the transition, one needs to know which regions are most at risk. A new socio-economic risk indicator maps these regions across Europe.
One of CINTRAN’s sister projects, ENTRANCES, is currently developing 13 regional case studies on European coal and carbon-intensive regions in transition. This blog is providing a preview of the case study report dedicated to the Rhineland, which is the biggest lignite coal region in Europe in terms of annual production. The underlying report was developed by the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) and will be published in October 2022.
With a regional stakeholder group in the Rhenish Mining area, the CINTRAN research group tested an injustice mapping framework that can be used as a tool for evaluating the performance of just transition instruments. In this blogpost we present the framework, interim results of the mapping and discuss the possible role of such a mapping on the regional level for designing just transition instruments.
The concept of Just Transition has become a guiding principle for managing structural change in coal regions. Yet, the more people you ask what “Just Transition” means, the more answers you will get. Just Transition has become a container term for all kinds of normative claims. In the CINTRAN project, we are studying empirically which kinds of (in)justice play a role in the affected regions. Specifically, we analyse the political narratives that key stakeholders employ publicly.
The third CINTRAN capacity building event for the coal+ regions focuses on building socio-economic resilience in at-risk regions. The event aims at practitioners across the coal+ regions in Europe.
This blog is in response to CINTRAN's second webinar in the Coal+ Regions in Transition event series. The second webinar took place on 19 May 2022 and presented on “Territorial Just Transition Plans, in Process and in Practice.” The webinar recording and presentations can be found at the end of the blog.
After two years of research under COVID-restrictions we are finally able to reach out and engage directly with stakeholders in CINTRAN focus regions. We will kick it off with a stakeholder workshop in the Rhenish Mining Area hosted by our project partner Zukunftsagentur NRW.
The second CINTRAN capacity building event for the coal+ regions focuses on Territorial Just Transition Plans. The event aims at practitioners across the coal+ regions in Europe.
This blog is in response to CINTRAN's first webinar in the Coal+ Regions in Transition event series. The first webinar took place on 6 April 2022 and presented on “Phase out coal slower or faster? Effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine on the Just Transition.” The webinar recording and presentations can be found at the end of the blog.
To mitigate climate change, rapid and massive phase-out of coal-based power generation is required globally. At COP26, 46 countries signed the ‘Global Coal to Clean Power Transition Statement’, ‘consigning coal to history’, including significant coal consumers such as Indonesia and Vietnam. Translating the experience of just transition policies from developed countries to emerging and developing economies is a crucial policy challenge for the coming years. We developed a diagnostic tool to help researchers and policy makers most effectively translate these lessons.
If the world is to achieve the climate goal set by the Paris Agreement, an accelerated coal phase-out is essential. This policy brief examines stakeholder commissions on coal phase-outs and Just Transition processes of selected countries. The authors compare key aspects of each commission, such as their mandate, outputs, and outcomes and provide lessons for future phase-out processes.
Welcome to issue #4 of the CINTRAN coal transition newsletter. In this issue, we are happy to announce the start of the CINTRAN academy events series, which begins with an exceptional kick-off event on effects of Russia's war in Ukraine on the Just Transition. We also present a chapter of the new book 'Political Economy of Coal', examining at the German coal commission process. Views onto recent research round off the issue, completed by the presentation of the Just Transition Toolbox, a tool for practitioners in coal regions full of practical learnings and concepts for diversifying local and supporting local workers and communities. Enjoy the read!
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its ripple effects on global energy supply have led many observers and policy makers to question previous phase-out decisions for both nuclear power and coal in Germany. In a recent book chapter, the authors analyzed the political economy of coal during the political struggle for coal phase-out. While some of the adopted policies may be obsolete by now, the insights into the political economy are still relevant and allow us to draw lessons for the energy policy response to the war in Ukraine.
An exceptional kick-off event to CINTRAN’s capacity-building programme for coal+ regions
Next event in the series: Powering the just transition through youth engagement
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and its ripple effects on global energy supply have led many observers and policy makers to question previous phase-out decisions for both nuclear power and coal in Germany. In a recent book chapter, the authors analyzed the political economy of coal during the political struggle for coal phase-out. While some of the adopted policies may be obsolete by now, the insights into the political economy are still relevant and allow us to draw lessons for the energy policy response to the war in Ukraine.
The just transition of coal+ regions (those mining or using coal, peat and oil shale) remains a very relevant subject across Europe, requiring rapid action and support, as well as enhanced knowledge for strategic planning. As a first step towards understanding the patterns and dynamics of decarbonising carbon-intensive regions in Europe, CINTRAN has investigated the needs and concerns of different actors involved in the process.
In the discourse about the coal phase-out and the policies that accompany it, the focus usually is on the mostly male miners employed in the coal industry. In two recent publications conducted as part of the CINTRAN project, the authors look at those who remain mostly invisible in this discourse - women. They examine how women have been affected by past coal phase-out processes and how they have become politically active in these processes. Furthermore, they derive policy recommendations for a gender-equitable structural change.
In order to achieve a just transition out of coal for all people, it is important to consider not only male coal workers but also how women and other genders might be affected – positively as well as negatively – by the phase-out and the structural change processes. The webinar on 7 March organised by the Wuppertal Institute, CoalExit and TRAJECTS will focus on the gender dimensions of a just transition.
The mining area of the Garzweiler II opencast mine in the Rhenish lignite mining region must be significantly reduced in size compared to the plans of the local government and the mining operator. This short study deals with the mining area to be adjusted in size in the probable case of a coal phase-out in 2030 at the latest with regard to the necessity of devastation of the village of Lützerath.
Welcome to issue #3 of the CINTRAN coal transitions newsletter. We present recent research on selected coal regions, report on drivers and barriers of historical coal phase-out processes and invite for inputs to CINTRAN’s global inventory of decarbonization coping strategies. Enjoy the read!
To help achieve the transformation towards carbon neutrality, the European Commission has launched exchangeEU, the exchange programme for coal, lignite, peat and oil shale, known as “coal+”, regions in the European Union. The multidisciplinary programme matches coal+ regions with their peers to deepen their understanding of each other’s challenges around the transition process.
Panel discussion at Glasgow climate summit shared first-hand experiences on coal phase out in Europe and beyond
Recalibrating open-pit lignite mining policies in North-Rhine Westphalia to a feasible 1.5-degree scenario. Germany must deal with significant policy challenges to reach its greenhouse gas emission commitments under the Paris Accord: One of them concerns the future of its large-scale lignite mines in the western region of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW). A recent study by DIW Berlin reveals that the current policy and production plan of the opencast mine operator would result in Germany's CO2 budget for meeting the 1.5-degree limit being far exceeded. Thus, lignite mines and power plants in NRW will be required to significantly reduce their output. This recalibration according to the 1.5-degree scenario means abandoning current expansion plans, saving several villages from resettlement and leaving millions of tons of coal in the ground, and phasing out with reduced coal consumption as early as 2028.
A rapid coal phase-out is needed for climate reasons. The challenge is to make this phase-out process as efficient, swift and socially just as possible. To support this endeavour scientifically not only scenario-based modelling is worthwhile, but also a systematic look into the past. This article examines the literature that exists on drivers and barriers of historical coal phase-out processes and draws lessons for today’s transitions.
This event and panel discussion co-organized by the CINTRAN project, the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), the Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition, will bring together European and international practitioners to share their insights and lessons on how to ensure a just transition away from coal.
November is the Sustainability Transitions Month, where Transnational Centre for Just Transitions in Energy, Climate and Sustainability- TRAJECTS will be hosting a series of events on these topics across its Latinamerican, African and European regional hubs.
To meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the Greek government decided to withdraw all lignite plants by 2028. For Western Macedonia, the governmental decision has immense socio-economic impacts as the region is dominated by lignite mining activities and infrastructure. A new article by the CINTRAN project team reflects on the current socio-economic and socio-political situation in this region and discusses the policies and investments needed to ensure a just transition.
COVID-19 rates have consistently been higher in the Russian-speaking Estonian oil shale mining region Ida-Virumaa than in the rest of Estonia. Parts of the Estonian-speaking population were quick to argue that this was due to cultural traits or even disloyalty to the Estonian state. A closer look reveals that the spread of COVID-19 can instead be explained by socioeconomic factors and the nature of the work of Ida-Virumaa’s inhabitants.
We are pleased to launch a global inventory of the coping strategies that people, organisations and institutions are using to respond to the pressures introduced by global decarbonisation efforts.
Coal regions in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the EU are invited to join an exchange programme to accelerate just local energy transitions. The programme is an opportunity for regions to start direct, one-to-one dialogues, connect with different stakeholders, learn from each other, and transfer knowledge.
Die CoalExit-Forschungsgruppe sucht fünf studentische Hilfskräfte zur Unterstützung unserer inter- und transdisziplinären Arbeit.
The CoalExit research group is looking for five student assistants to support our inter- and transdisciplinary work
Welcome to CINTRAN’s first regional network newsletter. This time, we portray the Greek region of Western Macedonia. We look at Green Transition Investments in the region, we analyze efforts for the reskilling and upskilling of workers, and give an overview of the different local stakeholders’ attitudes towards decarbonization and lignite phase-out. Enjoy the read!
This contribution focuses on the labour market in the region. It analyses workforce size and the qualifications structure, portrays active labour market policies and depicts two landmark research and innovation projects.
Who are the different actors in Western Macedonia’s transition process and what are their views and attitudes towards delignification of the region? This article gives the answers.
How to put Just Transition into practice? This article describes how Greece’s Just Transition Master Plan is implemented in the Western Macedonia region. It looks at, inter alia, green investments into renewable energy projects, alternatives for district heating, and perspectives for green hydrogen
Πώς εφαρμόζεται το σχέδιο Δίκαιης Μετάβασης στην πράξη; Το παρόν άρθρο περιγράφει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο το Master Plan της Δίκαιης Μετάβασης για την Ελλάδα εφαρμόζεται στην περιοχή της Δυτικής Μακεδονίας. Εξετάζει, μεταξύ άλλων, τις πράσινες επενδύσεις σε έργα ανανεώσιμης ενέργειας, εναλλακτικές λύσεις για την τηλεθέρμανση και τις προοπτικές για το πράσινο υδρογόνο.
Το κεφάλαιο αυτό επικεντρώνεται στην αγορά εργασίας στην περιοχή αναφοράς. Αναλύει το μέγεθος του εργατικού δυναμικού και τις δεξιότητες, απεικονίζει ενεργές πολιτικές για την αγορά εργασίας και παρουσιάζει δύο εμβληματικά έργα έρευνας και καινοτομίας.
Ποια είναι τα διάφορα ενδιαφερόμενα μέλη (θεσμικοί και κοινωνικοί εταίροι) του σχεδίου μετάβασης Δυτικής Μακεδονίας και ποιες οι απόψεις τους σχετικά με την απολιγνιτοποίηση στην περιοχή? Αυτό το άρθρο παρέχει όλες τις απαντήσεις.
Defining a region is always challenging and often contested. This is particularly true if the borders of the region determine who gets to decide and who gets access to resources. This blog post sheds some light on the different dimensions of regionality and how a more nuanced understanding of “region” can support decarbonization and structural adjustments.
The CINTRAN Team invites you to participate in this survey and help us to collect examples from all parts of the world of how different people, organizations and institutions cope with decarbonisation.
Welcome to issue #2 of the CINTRAN Network Newsletter. We update you on the project's research activities, we introduce you to CINTRAN's case study regions and the latest developments on the ground and provide further coal transition news. Enjoy the read!
This short review describes the status of the energy transition in the region of Western Macedonia, Greece. It introduces the history of lignite mining in Western Macedonia and the significant role in its economic development as well as the current decarbonisation plans. It summarizes the effects of delignification on the region as well as the policy decisions taken by the Greek government to address them.
Ida-Virumaa is a former industrial centre with rich natural resources. The county contains large deposits of shale oil that are used in the power plants and oil industry, also situated in the same region. This article presents a short economic profile, employment issues, the regional just transition plan as well as recent actions and decisions.
This short overview provides background information on the German coal phase out process, portrays the Rhenish lignite area and describes the main actors and stakeholders active in the region. The regional transition process structure and an update on recent developments complete this regional profile.
Silesia, the largest hard coal mining region in the EU where more than 70 thousand workers are employed in the mines, is in the middle of preparations for the transition away from coal. This article presents a short portrait of the region and summarizes the currently ongoing transitional steps, which are split into two parallel processes, with one focused on regional development policy and another on the closure of coal mines.
Far from being automatically benign, low-carbon transitions and climate mitigation efforts entail power struggles and processes of exacerbating vulnerability. Grounded in literature review of 198 studies and their corresponding 332 case studies, this study confirms the persistent presence of four processes—enclosure, exclusion, encroachment, and entrenchment - across diverse technologies from hydropower to household solar panels.
The European Union has set itself the challenge to become the first climate-neutral continent. This is a tremendous endeavour, particularly for those regions which are home to large concentrations of carbon-intensive industries. The CINTRAN project will help to understand the patterns and dynamics of structural change in those regions in order to help them to adapt.
The Energy Modelling Platform for Europe (EMP-E) constitutes a forum for exchanging research, development and practice of energy system modelling in Europe and, where feasible, promote the sharing of data and resources.
Does ambitious climate protection policy lead to high unemployment and social erosion in European energy regions? Does the coal phase-out give a boost to populist movements there and stir up anti-democratic resentment? Are these regions developing appropriate strategies for dealing with the upcoming transformation of their carbon-intensive economies?