News

Regions beyond coal: moving from dirty energy – and how to make it fair

4 November, 14:30-16:00 GMT – Glasgow Science Show Centre

Book free tickets to attend in person or watch online

Europe’s coal regions have a story to tell. Once the backbone of industry, their traditional livelihood is under threat as countries end fossil fuels. Europe’s coal regions know the damage it does if people and their livelihoods are forgotten in coal exit plans.

Coal is on its way out, but a just transition isn’t guaranteed: WWF, together with Bankwatch, are bringing this story to COP26.

During this multimedia event, participants will view witness statements gathered from coal regions around Europe and hear from those leading the charge for a socially fair transition.

We will welcome mayors from the heart of Europe’s coal country to tell of their regions’ quest for a just transition to a more sustainable future.

After this, we will hear how that quest is replicated beyond the EU’s borders and how the challenges to secure a just transition are the same and how they are different.

This will lead to a discussion on what works and what’s needed to ensure that ending coal leads to a fairer, healthier and more resilient future for all.

Speakers: 

Stefan Krastev  – deputy mayor of Pernik, Bulgaria

Michal Bieda – deputy mayor of Bytom, Poland

Other speakers invited

Several other events on just transition will take place at COP26. One of them, organised by Bankwatch & Climate Reality Project Europe, is called “From Katowice to Glasgow – progress on Just Transition pathway in Central and East Europe”. It will take place on 5 November from 15:00-16:15 GMT in the Blue Zone’s Lomond Auditorium (so a blue zone COP26 badge is needed to attend).ns Beyond Coal project is supported by the German Environment Ministry’s European Climate Initiative (EUKI).