The objectives of this project were to identify, present and communicate the opportunities from the Corona crisis for coal phase-out; to develop a positive (e.g. no-lose or even win-win) vision on the coal regions in transition; to discuss and list the principle elements of the transition; and to develop a list of questions and operational recommendations on what to do next, addressed to the European Commission, member states, regional governments, industry and other stakeholders.
The project was divided in two phases. The first phase focused on the “redevelopment” element. The main deliverables of this phase were a report produced in close consultation with key stakeholders: “The time for rapid redevelopment of coal regions is now”, also translated in Bulgarian, Greek and Romanian, and a high-level webinar with Director General of DG TAXUD of the European Commission, Gerassimos Thomas, and the Director-General, Regional and Urban policy of the European Commission Marc Lemaître.
The second phase focused on ‘coal to low-carbon’ and reviewed successful coal regions and other industrial transitions to identify lessons. The key deliverable of the second phase was a second report: “From coal to low-carbon: Coal region development opportunities under EU Recovery programmes”.
