WP1 explored the human geography of TP in CCIRs showing that human geography indicators helped identify cumulative processes, capacities and socio-structural forces in CCIRS that set the preconditions that prevent or induce positive or negative TP in regional energy transitions. Czech case studies confirmed the growing differences in key demographic and socioeconomic indicators resulting from the spatial core-periphery asymmetries within CCIRs. This showed that geographical factors explain the intra-regional differences and the level of success or failure of transformation at the sub-regional level. Svalbard case study showed that TP in demography and emissions followed the actions that phase out coal.
WP2 investigated the interlinkages between psychosocial and anthropological dimensions and tipping dynamics (i.e. tipping interventions and events) in the Italian case studies, using a multi-scale / multi-site perspective. Main findings show the key role played by identity and cultural dynamics both as factor of resistance and of potential support to radical transformations. Identity, sense of place, energyscapes and justice perceptions can actively reinforce lock-in and path dependency and undermine tipping interventions aimed at promoting local systems’ decarbonization These factors play a role at different stages of transition conceptualized as a destabilization-reconfiguration pathway.
WP3 explored the positive social TP from a policy and governance perspective comparing two cities located in the former mining area of the Ruhr Region. WP3 found that the cities were locked into the coal regime for decades where positive feedbacks were prevalent: the mines continued operating by means of large national subsidies despite being economically inefficient for several decades. Hence, we observed the regional transformation as a result of many small incremental and deliberate actions that added up to larger change, a process associated to of transformative incrementalism. Political power is a core variable in a social change process which in our case decelerated the phase-out quite substantially.
WP4 identified in the socio-economic realm a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators that characterize structural change and the potential advent of TP in coal and carbon intensive regions. It applied this frame of analysis to (ii) technological and industrial change in Austria, (iii) macro-economic impacts of climate policy in Poland and Greece, (iv) econometric dynamics of growth and GHG emissions in EU NUTS2 regions performed using panel threshold models and endogenous grouping of regions. This showed two groups of regions differentiated in terms of the relations between emissions and economic growth: leading regions where growth and emissions are essentially decoupled, and other regions where growth is still emission intensive. WP4 also found that green capital requirements and supporting factors can substantially increase funding of low-carbon sectors. In terms of policies coping with the regional impacts of the coal phase-out, they should not be limited solely to mining employment but should also consider other industry jobs often connected with mining through contracts, as these jobs are more dispersed, less unionized, and would require support sooner than hard coal mining itself.
WP5 produced a synthesis and mapped out regional strategies and alternative narratives aimed at decarbonising in sustainable and just ways the selected CCIRs. It provided an overview of the case study contributions, the stakeholder engagement, and main policy messages across the various CCIRs, with the goal of driving transformative changes towards decarbonised futures in these regions. WP5 research findings focused on understanding the processes catalysing or impeding structural change and include the enabling policy measures and decisions, and fostering collaborative approaches with diverse stakeholder groups. The analyses showed that including non-state actors such include business decision-makers in coal and carbon-intensive industries, environmental NGOs, community associations, research institutions, and local communities are also critical can foster collaboration, ensures that diverse perspectives are considered, and can create a sense of shared responsibility in shaping the region's low carbon futures.
WP6 established the communication and dissemination strategy of the project and enabled the various target groups interested in clean-energy transitions of CCIRs, to be informed and utilize the project’s results and outcomes as presented in the Plan for Dissemination and Outreach of Results and of Stakeholder Engagement, 6 policy briefs with concise recommendations, 15 working documents derived from the case studies and 58 scientific publications, together with 33 regional stakeholder workshops, engaging with more than 750 stakeholders. WP6 co-organized and participated with sister projects sessions in the 2023 EU sustainable energy week, the COP27, events organized by the EU projects CINTRAN, ENTRANCES and JUSTEM, and clustering events organized by INEA. A Final Conference was also held in a hybrid format, which was attended by more than 40 participants. WP6 also posted about 230 entries in the project website and social media throughout the duration of the project, achieving more than 200,000 aggregated links, followers, engagements and a total of 19,297 visits to the website. 5 newsletters and 9 press releases, 6 news alerts, 6 infographics and 7 videos have been produced and disseminated though our social media
WP7 provided integration, synthesis, policy visions and recommendations and devised key procedures for knowledge integration. During the 2RP three deliverables were produced including D7.1 on a New Social Science Theory on SETPs in CCIRs -including the Overall Project Knowledge Integration Framework, presenting a unique transdisciplinary social science analytical framework and a newly created mid-range theory to enhance understanding of transitions and social ecological TP in coal and carbon intensive regions, D7.2 Full Project Knowledge Integration Report with Results, Procedures and Recommendations, presenting the operational process of knowledge integration and key project results and recommendations and D7.3 “Policy brief: Enacting positive TP to accelerate low-carbon, clean energy transformations in coal and carbon intensive regions” to bring the insights of the project to policymakers and practitioners. WP7 also developed the special issue “Enabling Sustainable Transitions in Coal and Carbon-Intensive Regions - Interdisciplinary Social Science Perspectives” in the Global Environmental Change journal, synthesizing empirical findings across the case studies, as well as focus on concept and theory building.
