The aim of this research is to develop and provide basic knowledge on the challenges of the “coal exit” for the areas of North Czech Republic, East Germany and large parts of South-West and Central Poland.
Our fossil-based economies have followed very different development paths. While some economies are more nuclear-based, others rely heavily on coal, very often due to its availability as a local resource for the infant industries of the emerging nation-states. This is the case with Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. All three countries now face the same challenges: how to exit from coal production while securing good and decent jobs and a prosperous economy in the former coal producing regions.
With this study (to be followed by three others), we are taking a first step towards mapping the economic challenges, the relevant actors and the political issues of this process. The whole project behind it aims to stimulate a transnational debate between critical and left actors in our countries. The intention is to strengthen the pro-human forces in the socio-ecological transformation of these regions towards a post-fossil society.
Please find the ePaper on the right/below (mobile version) in ‘Documents’ (English, PDF).
Table of Contents
Preface – A Just Transition for Coal Regions in Central Europe, by Roland Kulke
Introduction, by Roland Kulke
Studies on Challenges in Post-Coal Regions: East Germany – Lusatia & Upper Lusatia, by Matthias Fröck
Prospects for Coal Exit in Poland. National and Regional Perspective, by Paweł Jaworski & Czesław Kulesza
Coal Regions, Coal Exit in the Czech Republic, by Dagmar Švendová