COP25 – Pathways to a just transition: Opportunities for affected regions, people and companies
December 12, 2019
Coal alone is responsible for 30 percent of CO2-emissions. The UN Secretary-General’s call for no new coal by 2020, and to curtail existing coal power, charts a critical path forward.
At this COP25 event, high-level government representatives explored the tactics of executing coal-to-clean transition strategies, from the initial stages of research, through to later commitments and dates. Governments shared best practice, lessons learned from behind-the-scenes process and policy decisions, and flagged future challenges.
Mr. Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Germany stressed the need for a Just Transition.
Jochen Flasbarth from the German government stresses the need for a #justtransition.
‘We don’t need coal to cover our energy needs, it is not that relevant for our economy at the national level. It is a regional economy problem and a social problem.’ pic.twitter.com/Usq07dOjKA
Rt Hon Claire O’Neill, COP26 President, United Kingdom said:
Claire O'Neill, @Cop26President: we need to make coal history as soon as possible, but the energy transition needs to work with the reality on the ground.
Peter Wooders, Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development introduced the next round of panellists bringing perspectives from countries at different stages of their transition away from coal.
Panellists bring perspectives from countries at different stages of their transition away from coal:
Li Junfeng, President, Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, China, and ; Director, National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, China highlighted the progress made in China.
@Li_Junfeng 🇨🇳 highlights progress in China: in 2014, the country decided to cap coal power generation to 1100GW. #Justtransition is a challenge, not only for miners but also for railway workers.
@Li_Junfeng president of Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association and Director of China's National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation – positively stated #china wants to gradually phase out coal by 2% a year – would take 30years. @PastCoalpic.twitter.com/kIf6ZjWPrf
Iryna Stavchuk, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Protection, Ukraine said:
Irina Stavchuk 🇺🇦: municipalities are our main partner in the energy transition, as they understand that coal is a problem and unprofitable coal mines will need to be closed.
The government needs to help regional and local authorities diversify their economies. pic.twitter.com/XbAHRpaAre
December 12, 2019 