Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions Interregional Platform study tour and International...

At the end of October 2023, the Just Transition to a Decarbonised Economy for South Africa (JUST SA) Programme, funded by the IKI, joined the Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions Interregional Platform (JET-CR) study tour through Germany and Poland, as well as the International Forum for Coal Regions in Transition Conference in Berlin.

The Innovations Regions for a Just Energy Transition (IKI JET) project is jointly funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI) and by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) for the Just Energy Transition in Coal Regions Interregional Platform (JET-CR). The JET-CR Platform aims to accelerate and support just energy transitions in accordance with the long-term decarbonisation plans and other sustainable economic activities in several countries, including Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Mongolia.

The South African delegation that took part in the events consisted of Ms Dudu Sibiya, Provincial Climate Change Coordinator at the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA); Ms Zimasa Vazi, who is the Partnerships and Stakeholder Relations Manager at the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) Secretariat; Mr Nkosinathi Nkonyane, the Acting Chief Executive Officer at the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA); and Mr Jongikhaya Witi, Chief Director of Climate Change Monitoring and Evaluation at the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). The larger group, including delegations from other coal regions, exceeded 45 individuals.

During the study tour, participants had the unique opportunity to delve into the heart of just transition issues such as economic diversification, mined-land rehabilitation, and socio-economic impacts. Participants from the eight countries explored former and active coal mines, gaining in-depth understanding of how coal transitions are managed based on real case studies. They visited Poznań and Konin in Poland, as well as Cottbus, Feldheim and Berlin in Germany.

The energy self-sufficient village of Feldheim has 55 wind turbines, and produces its own heat and electricity. The village also has its own biogas plant, a wood-chip burner, a battery storage system and a solar power plant. The residents of Feldheim all invested in the renewable energy projects and they are all co-owners. Showcasing alternative energy supply solutions and investigating opportunities to repurpose coal mines were among the key components of the study tour. The underlying goal was to contribute to the transition away from coal towards a low-carbon energy future that is not just sustainable but also inclusive and equitable.

As participants explored the transition from coal to cleaner energy sources, they encountered some remarkable transformations. Notably, in Berlin, the predominant approach to dealing with former coal mines captured a lot of attention. Instead of allowing these areas to remain as barren landscapes, they have been ingeniously repurposed into stunning lakes. Moreover, former mined-land has been transformed into a flourishing natural attraction, complete with lush grass and some wildlife. This mine had ceased operations in 2016, showcasing the rapid progress achieved in just a few years.

Following the study tour, delegations joined the International Forum for Coal Regions Conference, an event where delegates had the opportunity to share insights and best practices with fellow participants from JET-CR countries. The conference served as a bridge for peer exchange, enabling stakeholders from coal regions across the globe to learn from one another, fostering collaboration and building capacity. The focus was on essential topics like understanding JET, economic diversification and financing a just transition.

The conference focused on JET moving away from coal. Countries shared how they have strategically approached a just energy transition in their country and how to best involve stakeholders. Participants also learned of a study on employment in the power sector in Vietnam and some reflections from Vietnam’s General Confederation of Labour. The session on economic diversification looked at pathways to achieve economic diversification when phasing out coal.

The panel, made up of Mr Tobias Bihler of the Ministry of the Economy and Climate Protection (Germany); Ms Wiktoria Beckmann of Guidehouse; Dr Matthias Brachert of the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWF) (Germany); and Mr Nkosinathi Nkonyane, Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (South Africa), discussed experiences on strategy development for economic transformation, institutional settings and implementation experiences.

The energy transition dialogue transcended boundaries as delegates engaged in discussions with representatives not only from the JET-CR countries but also from European member states, the Western Balkans and Ukraine. JET-CR will continue with further study tours in coal regions.

JUST SA is thrilled to have been part of this journey aligning international practices to contribute to a low carbon, just, inclusive and equitable just transition for South Africa. The lessons learned, the insights gained and the collaborations fostered during the JET-CR study tour and the International Forum for Coal Regions in Transition Conference are key steps towards paving the way for a sustainable and equitable just transition for all.