The economic viability of coal is ever decreasing. Without public financial support many coal investments are doomed to fail. Yet several institutions are still willing to finance an energy source that wrecks our climate, damages our health and wastes our money.
To help bring about a world beyond coal, we investigate and promote a socially responsible transition while exposing the economic, legal, social and environmental risks of coal power.
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We provide updates in English from the Balkans and other coal regions.
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Just transition
No one should be left behind when we reconstruct our world into one driven by clean energy. Working on just transition brings all actors who believe in fair regional redevelopment to the same table: unions, industry, public administration, governments, civil society and others sharing this goal.
Coal projects
Fossil gas
Fossil gas is the new coal. Although often labelled ‘natural,’ fossil gas is a major driver of the climate crisis. There is no more room for new investments in fossil gas projects if we are to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis and set a path towards decarbonisation.
District heating
District heating and individual heating are still dominated by fossil fuels and inefficient burning of wood without regard to sustainability criteria, in combination with a low degree of energy efficiency. This has to change, since heating plays a crucial role in the transition into a clean and zero-carbon economy.
Just transition
Working on just transition brings all actors who believe in fair regional redevelopment to the same table: unions, industry, public administration, governments, civil society and others sharing this goal. They should be working together to find what is best for their regions and communities, from creating good quality jobs to identifying sustainable alternatives.
Latest news
Serbia: key national plan risks cementing coal dependence
Blog entry | 29 June, 2021The Serbian government’s 15-year national Spatial Plan is so keen to stick to business-as-usual it is openly ignoring some of the country’s most pressing issues to justify plans for six new fossil fuel-based power plants. Belgrade also doesn’t appear to care much about what Serbia’s neighbour to the east thinks regarding the implications these disastrous plans would have for them.
Read moreRomanian government’s coal phaseout blabber
Blog entry | 17 June, 2021If official communication about the coal phaseout is any indication about how proper the process will be, we have reason to worry. Over the past weeks, the Romanian government first said they would phase out coal, then came back to say they don’t actually mean all of it.
Read moreZero hour for energy ministers to halt the expansion of Europe’s fossil gas network
Blog entry | 10 June, 2021Calls to curtail the expansion of fossil gas infrastructure are mounting, and on Friday (11 June) EU energy ministers have a chance to ensure Europe’s cross-border energy infrastructure is in line with the leadership role it has taken in the global effort to stem the climate crisis
Read moreRelated publications
Western Balkan coal power plants polluted twice as much as those in the EU in 2019
Briefing | 12 July, 2021 | Download PDFThe non-compliance of Western Balkan coal power plants with the emission limits enshrined in the Energy Community Treaty is reflected in the region’s high sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and dust emissions. This briefing looks mainly at th
Status of the Territorial Just Transition Plans in central and eastern Europe: July 2021 update
Briefing | 8 July, 2021 | Download PDFThis briefing is the third in our series of updates on the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP) preparation process in seven central and eastern European (CEE) countries: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
It is time for EBRD to become the lighthouse for fossil-free development banks
Advocacy letter | 24 June, 2021 | Download PDFOn the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has the opportunity to help avert climate breakdown by putting itself at the heart of the global transition to a carbon-free economy. This joint state
