According to the article, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe should set a date for the end of national coal production by 2030 at the latest to meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement.
While discussions on the phasing out of coal in power plants are intensifying in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Poland, the question of decarbonisation is no longer a matter of “if” but “when” and “how” in these Central and Eastern European countries.
A prerequisite for a Paris Agreement-compatible plan is that it includes national phase-out deadlines by 2030 at the latest, underpinned by timely, inclusive and appropriate equitable transition (JT) plans. In Slovenia and Poland, governments are preparing national long-term strategies, and in the Czech Republic, a review of outdated long-term strategies is planned. Setting early dates within a 100% renewable energy vision would allow for seamless modelling of long-term plans and show concrete steps towards achieving climate neutrality well before 2050.
These Member States have a great opportunity to receive unprecedented levels of EU financial support. The benefits of phasing out coal by 2030 would be bigger and faster. The new EU budget and recovery funds offer significant financial support (see table) to kick-start investments and support measures, both for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and electrification of transport, and for reforms that will make this transition fair and equitable, providing decent jobs, new skills and social welfare. In addition, part of the revenues from the ETS Modernisation and Innovation Fund will be readily available to support a rapid and equitable transformation of energy infrastructure.
With carbon quota prices breaking new records, coal power plant and mine operators are queuing up to dispose of their assets sooner rather than later. If defined early enough, ambitious carbon management will give local communities a chance to make the transition fair with the funds available.
In Slovenia, a public consultation on a national strategy for coal decarbonisation, which proposed phasing out coal from power stations by 2033, closed last month.
In the Czech Republic, the government’s decision has been postponed due to a deep internal debate between the proposed dates of 2033 or 2038 for phasing out coal. It is unlikely that a decision will be taken before the general elections in October. However, the market seems to be leading the way and economics will drive coal out before any regulation.
Poland is also struggling with high demands from coal mining interest groups. The government reached an agreement with coal unions in mid-April 2021 to close coal mines by 2049. This agreement will require significant state support to keep the mines in operation, due to years of severe financial decline and the ever-increasing current carbon prices.
The path to 2049 is still unclear, and it is very likely that market conditions will lead to much earlier closure for most mines. In the meantime, in eastern Poland, ZE PAK plans to phase out coal by 2030 and has announced that no new lignite mining projects will be pursued. This is quite a turnaround from two years ago, when new lignite mines were planned.
A phase-out schedule in line with the Paris Agreement would also help many coal-dependent regions. National commitments to phase out coal by 2030 and to transition to a climate-neutral economy would accelerate the implementation of the SCM plans and unlock grants and loans for local communities through the Just Transition mechanism. The mechanism will allow for essential investments in coal producing regions to support the transition to a clean future, while providing a bottom-up governance mechanism.
Source: EURACTIV