EEAC Councils discuss a just and in-time coal phase out
The need for a ‘just and in-time’ transition to mitigate climate change is one of the central topics of COP24 in Katowice. Structural changes needed include a coal-phase out. However, such a phase-out will inevitably have socioeconomic consequences.So, what would a just and in-time transition look like when phasing-out coal in Europe? Several national and sub-national advisory councils on the environment and for sustainable development gathered in Berlin to discuss this question and debated the role of governments in the phase-out process.
Mr Folmer de Haan, chairman of the EEAC Working Group on Energy and Climate Change, presented an outcome letter, in which insights and messages resulting from the seminar are summarized. In the first part of the letter the general situation regarding the role of coal and the coal phase-out process is included. Special attention is paid to countries like Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland. In the second part of the letter, the situation surrounding terminated coal mining in the Netherlands is described and lessons learned are shared. The third part of the letter includes several preliminary recommendations with regard to a timely and just coal phase-out process. Click here for more information or use this link to read the outcome letter.