Just Transitions and Structural Change in Coal Regions: Central and Eastern Europe

On the 5th of October 2021, the Centre for Climate Justice, at Glasgow Caledonian University, along with the British Embassy in Hungary, hosted a 1-day virtual conference to discuss how coal-phase out in Central and Eastern Europe can be managed in a just, sustainable and equitable way. The conference drew on the UK’s experience of transitioning away from coal, with a focus on key lessons learned, through presentations by experts from trade unions, industry, academia and finance. These presentations offered practical knowledge, critical insights and reflections on a range of topics relating to just transitions, including alternative growth models, communication and engagement with local communities, reskilling and transitional employment. The conference included four sessions exploring the different scales of decision-making: local, national, and international, and concluded with a panel session that brought speakers from each of the previous sessions together to discuss lessons for the future.