Foundation Programme on the Just Energy Transition in Coal Mining Regions

Coal phase-out is key to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and tackling climate change. However, coal mining and coal-fired energy have been sustaining national and global economies for many decades. Amid climate commitments at the global and local levels, coal mining regions now face tough challenges in determining how they can transform their economies to sustain local livelihoods, economic activities, and jobs, and how they can ensure a just transition that leaves no one behind.

The Foundation Programme on the Just Energy Transition in Coal Mining Regions, offered as part of the Innovation Regions for a Just Energy Transition project, aims to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders in and around coal mining regions to work towards a just transition in these regions. The programme provides stakeholders with a basic understanding of the principles of just transition to environmentally sustainable economies and societies, access to practical tools, and guidance on contributing to local just transition planning processes. After completing the programme, participants will receive a certificate from the International Labour Organization and the International Climate Initiative (IKI).

The programme will run from July 8 to 26, 2024, in English and Spanish.

The programme is aimed at:

+ National government representatives involved in the coal transition (ministries of labour, planning, mining, finance, economic development, and women’s affairs)

+ Local government representatives in coal mining regions in India, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam

+ Private sector representatives, including employers’ organisations (nationally and in coal mining regions in India, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam)

+ Workers’ representatives (nationally and in coal mining regions in India, Indonesia, Mongolia, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam)

+ Civil society organisations and academics involved in the coal transition

Topics covered:

+ Climate change, climate policies, employment, and decent work

+ The just transition: conceptual framework and policy guidance

+ Just transition in coal regions: drivers and opportunities

+ Just transition in coal regions: experiences and lessons learned

+ Social dialogue for a just transition

+ Leaving no one behind: gender equality and inclusion of vulnerable groups and people in vulnerable situations

+ Financing a just transition

Programme structure:

The course will span 30 hours of learning through an online format that combines webinars with self-guided learning modules. It will adopt participatory and “learning by doing” methodologies based on case studies, reflections and exercises in teams, and scenario simulations. It will also implement pedagogical approaches tailored to participants’ needs and interests.

Week 1 (July 8–12) — Key concepts

+ Global context and frameworks for climate action

+ The social dimension of climate action: climate change, employment, and decent work

+ Just transition: conceptual framework and policy orientation

Week 2 (July 15–19) — The just transition in coal mining regions

+ Drivers, transmission mechanisms, and socio-economic impacts

+ Strategies for mitigating socio-economic impacts

+ Experiences and lessons learned

Week 3 (July 22–26) — Planning a just transition

+ Policy coordination

+ Social dialogue and stakeholder participation

+ Applying “leave no one behind” approaches