Transformation in the Coal Sector: Stakeholders’ Dialogue in Poland

This event was a part of the IDDRI and Climate Strategies-led project “Coal Transitions”, co-organised with the Polish partner of the project – the Institute for Structural Research (IBS). The project aims to develop scenarios and sets of policies supporting socially fair coal transition, which will ensure economic development of the region. Silesia (with the capital in Katowice) – a Polish region where until recently the mining sector was one of the strongest pillars of economic development – will be particularly vulnerable to structural changes of the industry, the labour market and the energy sector.

The meeting’s aim was to discuss the just transition in the regions whose economies are based on coal with a special focus on Silesia. By highlighting the lessons learned from past industrial restructurings, we tried to answer the question of how to better prepare for the upcoming changes both in the social and economic spheres.   The list of introductory speakers included:

• Anabella Rosemberg (International Trade Union Confederation) – talk on just transition,
• Piotr Lewandowski (Institute for Structural Research) – talk on coal transitions and challenges for labour market in Poland,
• Robert Krzysztofik (University of Silesia in Katowice) – talk on economic development of cities in Silesia.

The discussion, which followed the introductory speeches, was focused on the reduction of production and employment in mining sector and its competitiveness. Some of the remedies for the region situation were discussed, namely anticipatory actions, revitalisation and recultivation of post-mining areas, etc.

We encourage to read the key conclusions from the meeting available on the Coal Transitions website (see).

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The seminar was funded by the KR Foundation with additional support from the European Climate Foundation.