(Un)just Green Transition In Coal Regions on the Czech-Polish Border

The Czech Republic and Poland have pledged to phase out the last coal mines within a few years. Poland's Silesia region and the Czech town of Karviná have both been historically reliant on coal mining. The OKD and ČSM mines and the Jas-Mos Coal mine employ thousands of people. The journliasts investigated how money from the EU Fund is being or will further be redistributed, and what additional instruments are used to support just green transition.

What has failed and what has been successful so far? The team points out to uncertainty and fear among people who currently work in the fossil fuel industries. And along with them, to a growing distrust of the state and its institutions as the latter cannot provide a smooth transition from one job to another.

In Silesia, the 2016 closure of the "Makoszowy" mine left miners feeling betrayed, as the government failed to repurpose land and resources effectively. While unions secured some protections for miners, administrative workers were left unsupported. However, the transformation of Katowice's Nikiszowiec district into a vibrant area shows the potential for success when the community is engaged.  

In Karviná, the impending closure of the ČSM mine underscores the town's struggle to redefine itself. The town faces broader socio-economic challenges like job losses and population decline, compounded by a strong cultural attachment to coal mining. Efforts to repurpose mining areas are ongoing, but progress is slow, with locals torn between nostalgia and the need for change.  

Both regions illustrate that a fair transition from coal requires not just investment, but time, empathy, and active community involvement. The successes and challenges in Silesia and Karviná offer valuable lessons for other coal-dependent regions navigating the shift to a green economy.  

Photo: Jakub Szafranski