The concept of “just transition” is a development model aimed at ensuring decent living conditions and fair wages for all workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels — such as the closure of coal-fired power plants, coal mines, and related industries.
The Ukrainian government plans to phase out coal in electricity generation by 2035. Once this happens, coal communities will face challenges with employment, retraining of dismissed workers, and overall socio-economic stability. Past mine closures in Ukraine show that these processes were often carried out without adequate support programs, leading to serious social, economic, and environmental consequences.
The full-scale war has further exacerbated the situation. The coal sector is already losing jobs due to the destruction and occupation of power plants and mines. This makes it urgent to implement just transition programs as part of Ukraine’s broader green recovery. At the same time, coal regions have potential for creating green jobs, including the localisation of renewable energy equipment production.
Ecoaction advocates for establishing constructive dialogue between national and local authorities, civil society organisations, and local communities in coal regions. We also explore ways to support other carbon-intensive, mono-industrial communities that will be affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy.
Together, these stakeholders must address key challenges:
- Reconversion of coal territories,
- Attracting investment for new types of economic activities to replace fossil fuel industries,
- Employment opportunities,
- Retraining and upskilling of affected workers.
Ecoaction works to:
- Engage stakeholders in just transition processes;
- Share Ukrainian and international examples of successful just transition practices;
- Support transformational initiatives of coal communities and local civil society organisations;
- Unite Ukrainian civil society around the idea of just transition.