Even with hard work, a just transition needs long-term support
August 8, 2024
The small town of Turceni in southwest Romania has long been a lignite stronghold. But its enormous coal power plant is gradually being closed. A team from Bankwatch recently visited and spoke to the deputy mayor about the town’s efforts to ensure a just transition.
From coal to clean energy: A Romanian initiative for sustainable employment
August 5, 2024
The transition to a low-carbon economic model is a radical paradigm shift that requires transformation at all levels, from individual behaviour to entire economic sectors. But it’s also an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent our relationship with the economy, one that respects nature and planetary boundaries.
Estonia’s young heroes leading the just transition charge
August 2, 2024
Among the cases highlighting the role of young people in just transition regions across Europe, the establishment of a youth-led climate assembly in Ida-Virumaa, Estonia has been a notable success story.
Supporting the just transition through dedicated technical assistance
June 28, 2024
The just transition implementation phase is underway. However, additional support is needed to drive implementation and help projects respond to their particular challenges. This briefing provides recommendations for supporting the just transition process with technical assistance, capacity building, project preparation and project funding.
You(th) have a say in shaping the EU’s just transition
May 31, 2024
Picture a large, stuffy room within European Commission headquarters usually reserved for formal gatherings. On 19 April, at an event that officially concluded the EUTeens4Green initiative, the space was transformed by the infectious energy of over a hundred young leaders. These EUTeens4Green ambassadors shared their inspiring messages and passionate stories, calling on the EU to involve the young generation in climate action.
RePower the Regions seminar empowers municipalities for a sustainable future
May 14, 2024
On 10 May, 25 dedicated municipality employees from the city of Daugavpils in Latvia took part in a transformative seminar aimed at integrating zero-emission technologies and renewable energy solutions into public infrastructure.
Destroying while rebuilding: Flawed hydro project set for Polish just transition region needs a rethink
May 7, 2024
Eastern Wielkopolska, one of Poland’s just transition regions, urgently needs to repair the damage caused by decades of lignite mining. One controversial hydrological project slated for the region aims to flood open pits and stabilise water levels. But while these measures appear to be positive steps towards making amends, the environmental impacts of the project have not been assessed, which is likely to result in a number of unintended and damaging consequences.
Local authority planning for a just transition: Why Western Balkan coal regions should create their own redevelopment plans and how it can be done
April 26, 2024
From December 2020 to December 2023, the European Union implemented its first Initiative for coal regions in transition in the Western Balkans and Ukraine
Latvia considers a risky nuclear energy development path
April 24, 2024
Latvia already has a relatively high level of renewable energy production and, with many new wind and solar energy projects on the way, the country is not far from providing all the energy needed for its local consumption in annual terms. The greatest challenge remains ensuring a stable, balanced energy system. However, instead of planning for a 100 per cent renewables-based energy mix, the government has sparked a controversy by considering nuclear energy, a costly solution that would delay the transition.
Following the money: Poland
April 22, 2024
This briefing provides an overview of the just transition envisioned in the Polish Territorial Just Transition Plans for the four regions designated to receive money from the Just Transition Fund.
