Definitions of Climate Neutrality and the Just Transition for European Coal Regions

• Florence School of Transnational Governance
• EUI Climate Workshop
• STG Climate

This event features presentations by Anna Sobczak, Permanent Official of the European Commission and Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, and Rebecca Lamas, Research Associate, STG Climate

Leave no one behind? Identifying Crucial Socio-Economic Impacts and Policies regarding a Just Transition for Coal Regions within the framework of the EU Green Deal.

Anna Sobczak, permanent official of the European Commission and Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies.

The aim of Sobczak's research project is to develop a comprehensive set of policy recommendations that helps to move the European Commission's engagement with the Just Transition from theory-as-practice to a now essential mindset of effects-in-practice. The focus here lies on coal regions that are going through a restructuring process, economic diversification and clean energy transition towards climate neutrality. This will provide valuable insights on how to better align the different parts of a just transition with the outcomes needed on the ground in coal regions across Europe and beyond under the EU Green Deal.

Creating fair markets for climate-neutral products will require robust definitions. What is what? By who? Call for international aligned definitions

Rebecca Lamas, Research Associate at the School of Transnational Governance

Paris alignment targets and corporations' commitments are driving demand for sustainable products. This appears to be good news at first glance, but the reality is that those corporations are struggling to compare Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), account for their products carbon footprint as well as to spot how to reduce their emissions while evaluating the supply chain offer and securing its supply at a competitive price. Data, planning and investment are key. How can producers be alleviated of such a constant market research and how can consumers be assured that they are purchasing 'real green' products?