The Just Transition Strategy is one of three key pillars of the Strategic Energy and Climate Framework prepared by the Government of Spain. It provides a strategy to ensure that people and regions make the most of the opportunities offered by a sustainable transition. As part of this Strategy, specific measures are preconised in the Urgent Action Plan for Coal-mining Regions and Power Plant Closures. These measures are complemented by a Framework Agreement for a Just Transition in Coal Mining for the period 2019-2027.
Key elements
• Regular analysis from Employment Observatory to assess transition trends and including job creations, skills in increasing demand, and training needs.
• Incorporation of green employment and social protection policies into the Annual Employment Policy Plans.
• Inclusion of transition content into compulsory secondary education, vocational training and higher education curricula.
> Urgent Action Plan
• Early retirement or severance payment for employees impacted by mine/plant closure.
• Mine restoration plan allowing short-term maintenance of employment and proper site closure/restoration of natural space, accompanied by a renewables and energy efficiency development plan to open new job opportunities.
• Just Transition Agreements to maintain regional employment and seek economic diversification, signed by private and public parties. Agreements must include roadmaps, agreed transformation calendars, as well as measurable economic and environmental targets (e.g. jobs created/maintained, number of business creations, environmental improvement…). Technical assistance is provided via a Just Transition Institute.
> Framework Agreement signed between Ministries of Ecological Transition and Labour, Trade Unions and Employers (coal miners and power producers):
• €250 million fund.
• Exceptional social measures including pre-retirement, voluntary severance payments, relocation and training plans.
• Reactivation plan to support non-coal business initiatives that generate employment and the development of mining regions.
Benefits
• Combination of measures targeting social well-being of communities as well as economic recovery and alternative development of mining regions.
• Social dialogue between diverse governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including unions, local communities and private actors.
Enabling conditions
• Long-standing commitment to Just Transition from Spanish government allowing for a planned and cohesive approach.
• EU support/endorsement of coal transition planning.
