The just transition of the European Green Deal and the development of the regions with intensive coal mining (example of Marishki Basin – Bulgaria)

Abstract

The just energy transition is an opportunity to drive a very important process of transformation of the traditional linear, waste holding economy based on fossil fuels and polluting transport to a new type of economy, driven by the circularity bio-, RES economics paradigm and environmentally responsible transport. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the identification of the direction, factors and mechanisms of the energy transition in the Marishki Basin – Bulgaria, as well as to formulate proposals related to the development of territorial plans for a just transition and the integrated development plans of the municipalities. The methods that have been applied to achieve the purpose of the research are qualitative – desk research (search for general information about the object and the subject of the research – offline and online) and an in-depth interview with leading experts (regarding the process of transition and transformation of the Maritsa East complex). In addition to subjective expert assessments, objective statistical data for the region and for the Maritsa East complex were used for the needs of the research. The present work summarizes the views of the leading experts and makes suggestions regarding the future economic development of the region concerned and its energy transition. The Marishki Basin is a region within which it is necessary to develop and implement a system of projects and measures to be set out in the integrated development plans of the municipalities concerned and to be part of the territorial plans for a just transition. The leading sectors are to bet agri-energ biotechnology, aquaponics, “hydrogen valleys”, digital industries, robotics, urban agriculture, tourism and other activities that would create an innovative economic organism in the region.

Managing Climate Policies in Bulgaria’s Social Context

“…4. The investment cost for the replacement of household equipment with more efficient equipment, including heat pumps and equipment allowing for cooling, as cooling needs will increase in the near future (world Bank, 2021). This cost is unaffordable for the average Bulgarian, due to the low incomes and the high shares of food and expenditure in income.…”

“…A number of studies discuss social justice and climate change (IMF, 2022) (Braun et al, 2022;Creutzfeldt et al, 2021), the social effects of climate change on specific groups (world Bank, 2021), the importance of targeted policies to protect consumers (oECd, 2022) (IMF, 2022;Sgaravatti et al, 2023), and the risks created by compensation with no targeting (Guenette, 2020). There is widespread agreement that providing 100% grants to all for efficiency measures, or imposing price caps, disproportionately benefits large energy consumers with higher incomes, and at the same time muffles price signals, limiting incentives to save energy and use RES.…”