The ІV International Coal Conference ‘Coal Regions of Ukraine: Just Transition and Coal Mining. Ukrainian and International Experience’ was held in Kyiv on 13 July. This year, the conference was organised in both online and offline formats. The conference engaged more than 200 international experts from Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Great Britain, and the European Union, representatives of Ukrainian authorities and big businesses, leaders of coal mining trade unions and executives of Ukraine’s coal production regions who discussed the issues relative to the transformation of the coal industry.
Experts from the coal industry, representatives of the Ukrainian Government, and members of the international community discussed the transformation that the coal industry is expecting in the years to come. The discussions were divided into the three sessions: ‘Achieving Carbon Neutrality and Opportunities for Coal Communities’, ‘Coal Mining in the Context of the Green Energy Transition’, and ‘Just Transition for the Coal Regions. Opportunities for Economic Diversification of Single-Industry Towns’.
The experts agreed that the successful transition of Ukraine’s coal regions ultimately depends on the engagement of the business, authorities, local communities, and international partners in this process.
Denys Shmyhal, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, attended the event. The Prime Minister noted that by sharing the values of the European Green Deal, Ukraine makes a number of meaningful steps towards energy independence of its economy, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, gradual phase-out of fossil fuels, and reduction of carbon intensity in various industry sectors. At the same time, the objective is to secure a social transformation of single-industry towns dependent on the operation of mines or thermal power plants.
‘We are actively discussing the just transition of coal regions, following the example of Europe’s Just Transition program, with the European Union, the World Bank, and other partners. A comprehensive just transition policy for coal regions is being developed on the governmental level. Our task is to implement the necessary incentives that would enable these regions to become the attractive places for investments, design a detailed plan for creating new jobs, and also provide new opportunities for the development of small and medium enterprises,’ stressed the Prime Minister.
Denys Shmyhal further added that with support from the World Bank and the German Government, Ukraine will receive access to the best practices and technologies that will facilitate the just transition of the coal regions.
‘The successful transformation of our coal regions ultimately depends on the engagement of all stakeholders, ranging from local authorities to international partners in this process. Together, we need to create a universally applicable model for re-purposing and revitalizing the mining regions that will create new opportunities for local residents and investors,’ summarized the Head of the Government.
Stanislaw Tillich, Federal Government Commissioner in Germany for Structural Change in the Ukrainian Coal-Mining Region, noted:
‘In August last year, we signed the German-Ukrainian Energy Partnership Agreement with the Ukrainian Government to share experience in the transformation of coal industry in our country. This program is expected to last for five years and provides for the financing of EUR 35 million. It is important that the decision to embark on the transformation and its design has to be supported by all members of the Ukrainian society. This is due to the fact that this decision not only impacts coal mining communities but also requires thorough support to decarbonisation processes. To start with, we suggest exploring the potential and prospects of development of mining regions, formulating a program for reskilling workers employed in this industry, identifying the risks that could emerge during the transition before proceeding with the implementation of transformation projects.’
Ildar Salieiev, DTEK ENERGY CEO, added that for the past three years, the company has been supporting the communities where coal production enterprises operate in developing the road map for a just transition. This map will guarantee the livelihood of these regions once the coal production has stopped.
‘DTEK fully shares the European values. With support of DTEK ENERGY, Dobropillia has become Ukraine’s first coal region that is following the path of economic diversification. The local community has already developed a three-year program that includes over 40 projects aimed at creating new jobs in various industries ranging from construction to services. Now, DTEK ENERGY supports another three coal mining communities in Dnipropetrovsk Region that have prepared their own just transition programs. I strongly believe that the sustainable development can be ensured in the new conditions by active engagement of the state, businesses, and international partners,’ noted Ildar Salieiev.
The conference was organized with the support provided by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, EUROCOAL, Donetsksteel, DTEK ENERGY, Dnipro Polytechnic National Technical University, M.S. Poliakov Institute of Geotechnical Mechanics, National Academy of Science, and NGO ASTAR.