Just Transition Platform Conference gathers stakeholders to share knowledge in Brussels

The JTP Conference provided a forum for stakeholders from national, local and regional authorities as well as economic and social partners, the wider society and representatives of the European Commission to share strategies and experiences on the just transition process.

The programme began on 23 October with a Multi-Level Dialogue on Just Transition, organised by the European Committee of the Regions to discuss specific challenges that are impeding a swift implementation of the Just Transition Mechanism. Among the participants were Jakub Chełstowski, governor of the Silesian Region in Poland, and Florin Tiberiu Iacob-Ridzi, Mayor of the Petroșani Municipality in Romania.

“Your regions will be pivotal”

The core sessions followed on 24-25 October, with the opening session taking stock of achievements and progress so far, as the transition picks up the pace across Europe’s regions.

Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, opened the main conference with a video speech. Setting the scene for the first JTP Conference since he began overseeing the European Green Deal, Mr Šefčovič said:

“Your regions will be pivotal [in the green transition] – not only because we must ensure this transition is fair for all workers and communities, but also because carbon-intensive regions are home to the industries that deliver critical materials needed for the transition, and coal regions are well placed to become clean energy powerhouses, as they have the right knowledge, skills and infrastructure.”

Mr Šefčovič added that the lessons drawn from the conference will help the Commission implement its energy transition policies and will contribute to the implementation of the Social Climate Fund. The Fund, established to address part of the social and distributional challenges of the Union’s green transition following the introduction of ETS2 as of 2027, will provide up to €65 billion as of 2026 to finance long-term energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures and access to low and zero-emission vehicles to help vulnerable households in energy and transport poverty and vulnerable enterprises.

“The Just Transition Fund (JTF) and Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) are tailor made to support the workers and communities most affected by the transition,” Mr Šefčovič reiterated. “If the green transition does not succeed fairly, it does not succeed at all.”

Director-General of Regional and Urban Policy, Themis Christophidou, then addressed just transition stakeholders at the conference with a keynote speech. “Through the JTF and the JTP, what you are doing truly inspiring,” Ms Christophidou said. “You are repurposing and reskilling for the new green economy.”

“You embody that we are forward looking, open and moving together in solidarity,” she continued. “You are starting to overcome bottlenecks and obstacles. The transition is picking up in many countries.”

“Please make full use of technical assistance support tools, including the new support under the JTP,” Ms Christophidou urged, adding that the Commission plans to continue and expand its support in 2024, including through the JTP GROUNDWORK and JTPeers programmes.

“We must stay on course”

Next, a session on JTM implementation for practitioners featured presentations from representatives of Italy’s Taranto region, Portugal’s Centro region, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, representing the regions of Norbotten, Västerbotten and Gotland, and the Managing Authority of the JTF programme for the Moravskoslezský, Ústecký and Karlovarský Regions of Czechia from the Ministry of the Environment. The speakers from these JTF regions shared their experiences, successes and challenges, which relate to aspects such as the JTM timeframe, skills shortages, reskilling and communication, among others.

This was followed by a session with Elisa Ferreira, European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, who engaged in discussion with all participants and answered questions related to the implementation of the JTF. Commissioner Ferreira said:

“I hope these good examples gave you some inspiration, as that is purpose of the JTP: to provide conditions for you to exchange on problems – and solutions – in similar areas.”

The Commissioner shared examples of the inspiring, innovative good practices she has encountered in just transition regions around Europe, adding:

“I know how engaged you are. The JTP is living proof of that engagement. […] We must stay on course, remain true to our ambition, and keep projects on track and on time, in accordance with the tight implementation schedule. It is doable. You can count on us – you are not alone.”

After a session on the opportunities of energy storage, the day concluded with the signing ceremony of the Karlovy Vary Annual Political Dialogue Statement, which expresses a continued commitment to supporting coal regions throughout their transition.

Stakeholder involvement essential, including vulnerable groups

On 25 October, sessions focused on equal opportunities, communication in the just transition process, and the role of universities as key actors at regional level, each of which featured interesting presentations and roundtable discussions. The communication session presented a short survey on just transition communication, which remains open for stakeholders from coal and carbon intensive-regions to respond.

Common themes of the discussions included the need to accelerate, anticipate, communicate, and involve all stakeholders, including vulnerable groups, in efforts to face the transition’s challenges. The event showed a strong JTP community, which continues to bring people together, and a collective commitment to leave no one behind.

The conference concluded with a side event on JTP GROUNDWORK, the Just Transition Platform’s technical assistance programme, which has been supporting six just transition regions in 2023.

Meanwhile, the JTPeers programme recently launched its online Experts Database, which now provides access to a pool of professionals specialising in various just transition topics.

If you missed the conference, you can watch back the sessions on Swapcard. More materials, including a detailed report, will be shared on the JTP website in due course.

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