Transformation of coal regions on the way to carbon neutrality must take place with the involvement of international experience and expertise of other countries. This will involve the best models of support for coal regions and cooperation at the regional and local levels. Alina Zuikovska, Head of the DTEK Energy project group for transformation of coal regions, spoke about that when discussing the European Green Deal at the German-Ukrainian Forum.
DTEK supports the European Green Deal as an EU economic development strategy. Among the components of the Green Deal, the priority for the company are the areas of climate policy, sustainable financing as well as a fair socio-economic transformation of coal regions (Just Transition).
“DTEK plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. On the course to this, close attention must be paid to the regions where coal enterprises operate. More than 30,000 people work in our mines, but residents of single-industry towns where the mines operate also depend on their work. Therefore, as a responsible company, we must contribute to solving social issues and ensuring the regional economy diversification,” Alina Zuikovska, Head of the DTEK Energy project group for transformation of coal regions, said.
International expertise, exchange of experience and knowledge, and joint coordination will play a decisive role in ensuring a just transformation.
“The specific nature of coal regions is in the fact that they face the same challenges which can be more effectively addressed together. Germany is known for its comprehensive approach to restructuring the coal sector with the involvement of all stakeholders – central and local authorities, businesses, communities. The successful German experience is very useful for Ukraine and will certainly contribute to the energy transformation of our country. The entire Ukrainian society will benefit from the success of such cooperation,” Alina Zuikovska emphasized.
DTEK has actively participated in the European Just Coal Transition Platform since 2018.
As a reminder, Ukraine has become an active participant in the transformation of coal regions and has designated this as one of the priority tasks on the course to carbon neutrality. The Ukrainian government has established the Coal Transformation Coordination Center, while the European Commission, together with international financial institutions, are finalizing a coal transformation program for the Western Balkans and Ukraine which will provide expertise and support to countries in transition.