The government has adopted a State Target Program for the Just Transition of Ukraine’s Coal Regions, which aims to support coal communities in the process of the country’s transition away from coal in electricity generation, which will last until 2035. Although the war has slowed down these processes, the Program was adopted following its Concept, which the government approved back in 2021. The adoption of this Program is a significant event, both for Ukraine’s coal communities and for environmental protection, so Ecoaction congratulates everyone involved on this victory.
Ecoaction actively participated in the working group at the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development and, together with other civil society organizations, submitted proposals and comments on what a just transition of coal communities in Ukraine should include. During the preparation of the Program, about 30 civil society organizations joined the process, and thanks to joint efforts, a significant part of the proposals was considered. Moreover, Ecoaction involved coal communities in the consultations, and they also contributed with their proposals for the content of the Program.
The Program aims to solve local development problems related to the functioning of the coal industry. Its implementation will help overcome social, economic, cultural, utility and environmental problems arising from the decline in coal production and the gradual closure of coal mining and related enterprises.
The program also proposes measures in the following priority areas:
- Structural transformation of the local economy;
- Mitigation of the negative social consequences of the closure and transformation of coal enterprises, development of human capital;
- Transition to renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency;
- Addressing environmental issues and combating climate change.
The measures envisaged are aimed at providing comprehensive support to communities during the transition period. They will help develop small and medium-sized enterprises, create new jobs and study programs that meet the needs of the local labor market. Particular attention is paid to the employment of former coal industry workers and other community residents, as well as to skills upgrading and retraining. Improvements in access to quality medical, educational and utility services, and the development of social infrastructure are planned. In addition, the measures will promote the implementation of energy-efficient solutions and the deployment of renewable distributed generation. Research into the possibilities of using the existing infrastructure and resources of coal enterprises, in particular mine water and spoil tips, is also planned.
At the same time, a number of problematic issues remain that are not addressed in the Program, namely:
- It is important to define the criteria for determining whether the projects/measures belong to just transition and contribute to sustainability, for example, based on EU Regulation 2021/1056. After all, it is critical that the measures envisaged in coal communities serve primarily to ensure the just transition and sustainable development of these communities.
- The organizational procedures and approaches to mine closure need to be reviewed and brought into line with EU norms and standards. Transparency, environmental safety, and efficiency of this process need to be ensured, including the reuse of materials and infrastructure.
- Accordingly, a new regulatory framework for mine closure needs to be developed and adopted by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers. It is also necessary to develop and adopt new technical requirements for mine closure projects to replace the outdated and poor-quality standard SOU 10.1.05400632.1:2004 Project for the liquidation of coal mines in Ukraine, which creates conditions for systemic corruption and does not ensure environmental safety in this process.
- The new technical requirements should provide for the possibility of repurposing and reusing the infrastructure of closed mines, include measures to reduce methane emissions, protect and clean groundwater from pollution, and control and monitor the condition of closed mines.
The adoption of the State Program is an important element in implementing the National Energy and Climate Plan by 2030, which will help achieve interim climate goals on the path to climate neutrality by 2050. In addition, such support is particularly important in the process of recovery and energy transition which are already underway because of russia’s attacks. Overall, the Program should become an important element of support for coal regions in the process of phasing out coal, provided that sufficient funding is available.