Discordant agendas on a just transition in Romanian coal mining areas: The case of the Jiu Valley

Abstract

Despite the promises that the just transition will bring more democracy and prosperity, there are legitimate fears that, in some regions, the pre-existing inequalities will be reinforced rather than rectified. Questioning how community resilience can be stimulated prior to and during coal mining closures, this paper focuses on Jiu Valley, a coal mining region in Romania. Using empirical and action research methodologies, this case study underlines the importance of considering the level of agency and different agendas of stakeholders regarding both the vision of their common future and the timeline for implementation. The article stresses shortcomings in implementing a just transition, including the issue of governance and mistrust towards local and national authorities, difficulties in orchestrating individual agendas to launch a collective action for the future of the region and, not least, poor information and delays of the mine closures. Concerning the hypotheses about awareness, preparedness and transition delays, this study pointed out some of the mechanisms that explain the scarce preparedness and why, both closure and transition, were repeatedly postponed. Furthermore, the research profiled the different actors and highlighted the challenges to address and roles of stakeholders to contribute to a just transition.

Limitations of coordinative Europeanisation in the Just Transition Mechanism in Romania

“…In contrast, as this paper argues, it is important to also account for contexts in which the finances are available, which is harder to do, and yet institutional capacity or consensus on how to utilize them is not. Facing the same challenges, and having access to similar financial resources, communities still achieve different results in managing the energy transition, because they possess different local capabilities (Nicola and Schmitz, 2022).…”

“…With a total population of approximately 132,000 inhabitants, the micro-region is currently facing uncertainty about what will happen after the closure of the last four coal mines. However, in the framework described by the European Commission as a Just Transition, Jiu Valley has, at least theoretically, the prospect of a bounce back, if local stakeholders agree upon sustainable development projects that will attract solid investments (Nicola and Schmitz, 2022).…”

“…The conclusions of the debates were corroborated with the results obtained in the previous stages and, subsequently, included in the results and conclusions delivered by this article. This empirical data was analysed in depth in another recent publication (see Nicola and Schmitz, 2022).…”

From Mining to Tourism: Assessing the Destination’s Image, as Revealed by Travel-Oriented Social Networks

“…In the specific case of Romania, the inability to convert the post-industrial territories has already generated massive emigration, millions of Romanians originating from deindustrialised areas finding a better standard of living in other EU member states [26]. As for those remaining in the increasingly depopulated regions, they are currently trying to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the sustainability policies imposed at the European level, tourism being considered by many local stakeholders as a viable post-mining development track [27]. Focusing on a case study from Andalusia (Spain), Bahamonde-Rodriguez et al [28] highlighted the stigma that this region carried long after the cessation of mining and suggested that improving the image of such territories is a pre-condition to access new development paths.…”