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Lack of coal phase-out commitments in Eastern Europe jeopardises just transition
(EurActiv, 8 Jun 2021) Unambitious coal phase-out policies in central and eastern Europe threaten the just transition in the region and the European Commission should only accept plans that use the just transition fund to develop and diversify local economies for a greener future, writes Alexandru Mustață.
Alexandru Mustață is the just transition coordinator at the central and eastern European Bankwatch network.
In order to access the €17.5 billion Just Transition Fund, decision-makers from carbon-intensive regions across the EU and especially in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) are rushing to finalise their Territorial Just Transition Plans.
The documents are expected to outline a vision of a future without coal and other polluting industries, showing how they will use European money to build a decarbonised economy. They should also provide details on subjects for which regional authorities have little, if any, power, such as explaining from where greenhouse gas emission reductions will come.
Even progressive regions will find this task challenging, as usually the only document to rely on for guidance is the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). NECPs were designed during the past two years and are supposed to show what measures countries will take in order to reach their 2030 climate targets.
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