Challenges and Opportunities of Coal Phase-Out in Western Macedonia

Abstract

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU aims to become climate-neutral and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Ιn this context, EU member states are required to develop a national strategy to achieve the required emissions reductions under the Paris Agreement and EU climate goals. Western Macedonia is a region in North-western Greece with its economy largely dominated by lignite mining, lignite-fired power plants and district heating systems. In 2019, the Greek Government set the goal of withdrawing all lignite plants by 2028, with most units being withdrawn already by 2023. This decision has had an immense socio-economic impact on the region of Western Macedonia. This research work reflects the current situation at the socio-economic and socio-political level in Western Macedonia and discusses the policies implemented in the context of the lignite phase-out process to ensure a just transition for households and businesses of the region. Although there is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ blueprint for successful low-carbon transitions of high-carbon intensive regional economies, the main target of our paper is understanding the impacts, challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing Western Macedonia.

Investigation of the particulate air pollution and the ratio of PM2.5 to PM10 concentrations in the atmosphere over the lignite mining and lignite-fired power plants region of Western Macedonia, Greece.

“…This decreasing trend indicates the reduction in the rock excavations, coal mining and processing activities and the lignite production in the mines of Western Macedonia. The phase-out from solid fossil fuels (coal and lignite) also is attributed to the operation of Renewable Energy Sources due to the recent technological advancements and cost reductions, as well as the access to supplies of natural gas for power generation [17]. As demonstrated in Tables 1 and 2, the EU annual limits were exceeded a few times during the period 2010-2021, for both PM2.5 and PM10.…”

Comparative Phytochemical Analyses of Flowers from Primula veris subsp. veris Growing Wild and from Ex Situ Cultivation in Greece

“…According to environmental policies to promote the use of natural gas and renewable energy, lignite mining has been minimized, creating a job gap in the area. Nowadays, the goal is the development of innovative agriculture activities in the region, as well as the link between agriculture and applied research, which could boost agricultural income for the local economy and create job positions [ 43 ]. In the framework of this economic analysis, the results of the current study would potentially promote the valorization of sustainable cultivation of P. veris in this region.…”

Decarbonization of Former Lignite Regions with Renewable Hydrogen: The Western Macedonia Case

“…This poses a substantial challenge in terms of transforming the WM region's economy from its almost complete lignite dependency into other, diversified economic activities. Simultaneously, it is critical to safeguard social cohesion and future prospects for the local communities [3,4].…”