Five years of the Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition

To the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition community:

This week, more specifically 20 December, marks the fifth anniversary of the Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition. 

The Initiative itself, as well as the Secretariat that manages its activities, were established by the European Commission to respond to two clear needs: (1) for Europe to transition to a clean energy system, and (2) to ensure that this transition is done in such a way that leaves no one behind. 

As coal, lignite, peat, and oil shale regions (i.e., “coal+ regions”) know well, not all communities will be affected equally by energy transition. Coal+ regions need unique support and resources to face the disproportionate challenges that transition poses to them. Furthermore, it is our vision that coal+ regions not only survive the energy transition, but actively benefit from new opportunities that it brings. 

While these essential challenges and opportunities remain, there is also so much that has changed over the past five years. When the Secretariat was established, neither the EU Green Deal nor its Just Transition Mechanism existed; Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine had not started; and the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet on any of our radars. Despite the massive impact of these disruptions, Europe's community of coal+ regions has adapted and maintained momentum towards achieving a just transition. And, through all these changes and in the context of a rapidly evolving energy landscape, the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition has stayed steadfast in providing support to coal+ regions across Europe and beyond.  

In the new year, we will share updates that look towards the next half-decade and take time to reflect on the Initiative’s impact, achieved through events and exchange programmes that build a community of regions to aid each other on their transition journeys; knowledge products with concrete information pertinent to planning and implementing just transition; and locally-tailored technical assistance that embraces the uniqueness of each coal+ region. 

But for now, we wish simply to express our gratitude to the community of coal+ regions who continue to face the immense challenge of just transition head-on. Thank you for your commitment to taking on this great feat. Coal+ regions have always been at the heart of the Initiative, and we look forward to continuing to work together and to following your lead towards a just and sustainable energy future. 

Warm wishes and happy holidays to you all. 

Sincerely, 

The Secretariat of the Initiative for Coal Regions in Transition
(pictured above at the 2023 Annual Political Dialogue in Karlovy Vary, CZ)