WWF reports on just transition in Western Macedonia (Greece)

In August 2016, WWF Greece presented a study on coal phase-out and development options for Western Macedonia’s economy. In the primary sector, the report emphasised the cultivation of saffron, aromatic and energy plants, and the sustainable development of forestry. In the secondary sector, the report promoted development of renewable energy sources, energy saving, waste management, fly ash processing and aromatic plant processing. Finally, in the tertiary sector, the report focused on the development of industrial tourism, ecotourism, and also on research in higher education and research centres in the region.

In February 2019, WWF published another report entitled “Roadmap for the Transition of the Western Macedonia Region to a post-lignite era”. This report outlined opportunities for regional development after coal phase-out. In February 2020, WWF published a report on the Just Transition to climate neutrality in which it compared avenues for transition in four coal-dependent EU regions, including Western Macedonia. In February 2021, WWF Greece published a study evaluating a technologically efficient, cost-effective, economically and environmentally viable proposal for the district heating system of the region. Through these reports, WWF is attempting, often sucessfully, to influence the nature of the transition in Western Macedonia.

Further reading

ΝΕΑ ΜΕΛΕΤΗ ΤΟΥ WWF ΕΛΛΑΣ ΓΙΑ ΒΙΩΣΙΜΗ ΤΗΛΕΘΕΡΜΑΝΣΗ ΣΤΗ ΔΥΤΙΚΗ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΑ ΕΝΕΡΓΕΙΑ. Read here.