Poland’s former coal capital joins alliance to phase out coal power

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🗞️ Driving the news: Katowice, Poland’s coal industry heartland, has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), committing to phase out coal power for green energy
• The city aims to serve as a global model for transitioning industrial cities from fossil fuels while ensuring a just transition for workers
• Despite initial economic struggles, Katowice has successfully diversified its economy into technology, culture, and services

🔭 The context: After hosting the COP24 climate summit in 2018, Katowice pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030
• The city transitioned from coal mining to sectors like IT, gaming, and entertainment, resulting in a current unemployment rate of just 1%
• The Powering Past Coal Alliance supports global coal-dependent regions in transitioning to clean energy

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Katowice’s transformation highlights the possibility of economic growth alongside environmental sustainability, providing a roadmap for other coal-dependent regions
• With Poland being Europe’s second-largest coal producer, such efforts are crucial to reducing global carbon emissions and boosting renewable energy adoption

⏭️ What's next: Katowice plans to leverage its PPCA membership to exchange knowledge and accelerate its green transition while continuing to develop renewable energy infrastructure
• Poland aims for renewables to supply 53% of electricity by 2030, but the International Energy Agency urges faster progress

💬 One quote: “By joining the PPCA, Katowice embraces a leadership role on the international stage… transformation is possible, even for cities built on coal,” – Patryk Białas, city councillor

📈 One stat: The unemployment rate in Katowice stands at just 1%, a sharp recovery from losing 70% of local jobs during the 1990s coal mine closures

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