Just Transition Away from Coal: A Conversation on Lessons from South Africa, Europe, and South Asia

Welcome everyone! Thank you for participating in our event: Just Transition Away from Coal: A Conversation on Lessons from South Africa, Europe, and Asia.
I’m Nelly Ky with the World Bank, and I am delighted to be moderating today’s live chat.
We hope you will find the program that we have lined up for you to be fruitful and engaging.
We will begin shortly.
Nelly Ky 

Please continue to submit your questions and comments here on World Bank Live.
You can also follow the discussion on Twitter, using #ClimateActionWBG.
Nelly Ky 

Listed on this page you can see the speakers participating in today’s event.
Nelly Ky 

To kick-off this morning’s program, we are pleased to have with us Chika Oduah, an award-winning journalist, who will be our moderator.
Nelly Ky 

Our moderator, Chika Oduah, welcomes and sets the stage.
Nelly Ky 

Moving right along is the fireside chat featuring World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg.
Nelly Ky 

@Axel van Trotsenburg highlights the three pillars of a Just Transition: Decommissioning coal plants, replacing coal with renewables, and ensuring that the people affected can thrive in the new economy created by a Just Transition.
Nelly Ky 

As Axel van Trotsenburg, explains, having a pathway to transition away from coal is one of the conundrums governments are facing.
Nelly Ky 

We need a coalition with international organizations, with governments and the private sector to power the Just Transition.
Nelly Ky 

Chika Oduah introduces the panel:
Steve Nicholls, Head of Mitigation, South Africa’s Presidential Climate Commission (PCC)
Tomasz Rogala, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Polska Grupa Górnicza SA
Marc Vanheukelen, Ambassador at Large for Climate Diplomacy, European Union's External Action Service
Srestha Banerjee, Director, Just Transition at iFOREST
Nelly Ky 

A Just Transition Framework in South Africa is centered on stakeholder engagement, working with communities and vulnerable groups, working progressively with workers to help them understand their role in the Just Transition, and creating more jobs and opportunities.
Nelly Ky 

@Marc Vanheukelen: a Just Energy Transition is about being just, enhancing opportunities for workers and communities during the transition, implementing energy diversification and affordability, and creating alternative forms of employment.
Nelly Ky 

Tomasz Rogala emphasizes the role of time and proper planning in successfully closing coal plants while ensuring that people are not left behind.
Nelly Ky 

For Srestha Banerjee, the transition planning is not about replacing one method for the other, but avoiding repeating the mistakes of the past. Hence, proper planning is critical to address the consequences of coal plants' closures for families living in these regions. It is equally important to invest in social infrastructure and institute social safety nets. Finally, clear communication will ensure the transition is socially inclusive.
Nelly Ky 

People remain skeptical about the transition and are mainly concerned about: employment, transportation, and sustaining their livelihoods. Therefore, the change needs to address future concerns and the current realities of affected communities.
Nelly Ky 

Engaging stakeholders and communities to participate in transition planning and decision-making processes is imperative to achieve a Just Transition.
Nelly Ky 

It's been wonderful following the solution packed discussion and way forward for the planet.
Attendee #141 

The full process of transitioning a coal region will take many years, and good leadership anchored in transparent communication and trust, community involvement, and private sector financing will facilitate an inclusive transition.
Nelly Ky 

But just as Sir Axel van Trotsenburg mentioned, its is
everyones responsibility . Engaging stakeholders and communities to participate in transition planning and decision-making processes is imperative to achieve a Just Transition.
Attendee #141 

Thank you for this great opportunity, My name is Agada, Akwu Kingsley
Attendee #141 

This concludes our event. Please stay tuned for the event recording, which will be posted on this web page.
Visit our websites listed on this page for more information about how the World Bank supports a Just Transition.
Nelly Ky 

Continue to engage in #ClimateAction and check out our upcoming events at https://live.worldbank.org/cop27 Again, thank you for participating!
Nelly Ky