Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition

Context

The coal phase-out has economic and social effects in the coal-mining regions of developing countries and emerging economies and threatens local livelihoods and jobs.

Jointly developed plans are needed to create new and appropriate jobs to prepare employees, municipalities and employers in coal-mining regions for the challenges of phasing out coal. Essential components of a just energy transition are targeted measures addressing social inequalities. These are intended to remove structural and cultural barriers to the participation of the population groups affected, in particular women.

Objective

Key actors in coal regions in developing countries and emerging economies are planning and implementing transformation paths for a just energy transition away from coal and towards a low-carbon energy system, in line with the Paris Agreement and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Just Transition Guidelines.

Approach

The project supports a just transition away from coal and ensures inclusive and long-term economic development. It also provides appropriate labour and social protection in Asia, Africa and Latin America. It focuses on two key areas:

• The ‘Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions (JET-CR) Interregional Platform’ supports the exchange between the coal-mining regions in the Global South via an international network. It is also promoting political dialogue and creating a knowledge hub.
• Two country components that support the development of comprehensive plans for a just energy transition in coal regions in Indonesia and India.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the Climate Action Network International (CAN), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Just Transition Center of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) (participation in monitoring) and the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy are jointly implementing the project.

Last update: June 2023