Clean energy jobs will revive coal communities in Europe, says new WWF report
With Europe’s fossil fuel industry in serious trouble, a new report finds that sustainable jobs are the future for the continent.
In coal-heavy regions like Poland, Greece and Bulgaria, jobs in the coal industry are becoming harder to find. The mining sector is shrinking which is threatening many livelihoods.
In Silesia, Poland, 15,000 to 18,000 workers in mining-related companies are at risk of losing their jobs by 2030 due to the inefficiency of the mining process and EU and national climate policy. 2,200 coal jobs in Greece are also under imminent threat.
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#Carbon Footprint
#Coal
#General Clean Energy
#Government Policies
#Investment
Atlantis Viewpoint
The report takes an in-depth look at places like Silesia and Eastern Wielkopolska in Poland and Western Macedonia and Megalopolis in Greece. Regions with a long mining tradition which will have to redirect their main industries in order to reach European commitments under the Paris Agreement. The result of the analysis shows that it is feasible to turn coal communities into sustainably and economically thriving places to live.
The lessons for the EU are clear. We can get this right, but to do so the EU Transition Mechanism must finance only sectors related to true clean energy or a circular economy. What’s more, the EU Commission must check that local level plans aim for zero fossil fuel use and complete transparency.
A fairly accurate analysis from our point of view, which gives a clear advice steeped in hope for European regions based on fossil fuel industries. We know that clean energy can transform the world in a positive way, not only in Europe, but across the globe. A new energy industry is emerging, and it has the potential to create a world with cleaner air and can stop the effects of climate change.
