This call (LC-SC3-CC-1-2018-2019-2020), which aims to present practical recommendations to address the challenges of the transition to clean energy in European coal- and carbon-intensive regions, belongs to the Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future sub-programme within the Horizon 2020 Programme.
The clean energy transition not only poses technological and scientific challenges, but also requires a better understanding of cross-cutting issues related to socio-economic, gender, sociocultural and socio-political issues. Addressing these issues will help devise more effective ways to engage citizens and better understand energy-related views and attitudes, which will ultimately lead to greater social acceptability, as well as longer-lasting governance arrangements and socio-economic benefits.
Scope
Challenges facing carbon-intensive regions: The transition to a low-carbon economy and energy system poses particular challenges for regions that are still heavily dependent on fossil fuel-based industries or the extraction of fossil fuels themselves (“carbon- and carbon-intensive regions”). At the same time, this transition offers great opportunities to develop new lines of business and to increase the competitiveness of structurally weak regions.
Focusing on the last 5-10 years to the present, special attention should be paid to one or more of the following issues:
- What are the main socio-economic challenges facing coal- and carbon-intensive regions today and what impact have they had on livelihoods and the sustainability of local and regional economies?
- What coping strategies have emerged in recent years? What are the main differences between regions that are facing well and those that are not?
- To what extent have coal and carbon-intensive regions migrated in recent years and to what extent has it affected their social and demographic composition?
- What effect, if any, have these changes had on the growth of populism and anti-democratic attitudes in the affected regions?
Expected impact
The proposed research aims to present practical recommendations to address the challenges of the transition to clean energy in Europe’s coal- and carbon-intensive regions, including socio-economic and political ones.
Deadline
August 27, 2019
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