The EU has set itself a long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% compared to 1990 levels by 2050. In view of these objectives, the Member States are in a disadvantageous position due to the current state of the technologies used and the available local energy resources. These specificities must be taken into account when planning and implementing the national and/or regional energy strategies. The EU's decision to move to emission-free technology is not subject to discussion and it is therefore necessary, taking into account the difficulties of these regions, to anticipate and propose the energy policy that is in line with the tasks. These regions need an effective roadmap to make the necessary transition to a more diversified economic base and a more sustainable energy system, while safeguarding the social cohesion for communities and regions dependent on coal production.
The overall objective of the TRACER project (H2020; Contract No. 836819; www.tracer-h2020.eu) is to support a number of coal-intensive regions around Europe to design (or re-design) their Research and Innovation (R&I) strategies in order to facilitate their transition towards a sustainable energy system. Nine (9) European regions are involved in this procedure, 6 of them in EU Members States (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Poland, Romania), and 3 in countries outside the EU (UK, Serbia, Ukraine). Policy makers in these regions – the so called ‘TRACER target regions’ - were assisted to develop, implement and review their R&I strategies by providing information, developing methodologies, expertise and advice. The main outcomes of the TRACER project, i.e. a set of blueprints and tools for Member States, Associated Countries and regions, assisted the target regions to identify short- and medium-term solutions to help their transition to a more future-proof business model. The TRACER project lead to new and deepened cooperation in R&I between coal intensive regions that will facilitate their transition to a more sustainable energy system.
In conclusion, the TRACER project was very successful as it opened the way for new cooperation opportunities in the target regions. In addition, the TRACER project elaborated a high number of reports and implemented many stakeholder mobilisation actions in 9 coal regions in transition. The TRACER project helped to support the overall just transition process in 9 coal regions in transition via the entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP). Developed Research and Innovation Strategies as well as Shared Visions of Transition were important achievements of the project.
