New operational programme under European Green Deal
The European Union has committed itself not to produce any greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, when it plans on becoming a climate neutral continent. In connection with this, a European Green Deal has been entered into and a Just Transition Fund has been established.
The Green Deal is an action plan to ensure the sustainability of the EU economy, in particular by boosting the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy, restore biodiversity and cut pollution. To achieve these goals, a number of measures will have to be adopted, such as investing in environmentally-friendly technologies, supporting industry to innovate, rolling out cleaner, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transport, decarbonising the energy sector, and ensuring buildings are more energy efficient.
Using the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), the EU should provide financial support and technical assistance to those who will be most affected by the move towards a green economy. That is why the Just Transition Fund programme has been established, with total funds for allocation in the Czech Republic amounting to EUR 1.64 billion, i.e. approx. CZK 42.7 billion.
The programme has been designed to deal with the negative effects of the move away from coal in most affected regions. In the Czech Republic, these include the Karlovy Vary, Moravian-Silesian and Ústí nad Labem regions. The programme will mainly aim to ensure enough jobs for workers leaving the coal industry and the restoration and redevelopment of the countryside affected by coal mining. Support is also intended for large enterprises, including businesses trading in emission rights.
Support will be provided in respect of a wide variety of activities, such as:
- research and innovation digitalisation
- clean energy and energy savings
- circular economy
- redevelopment and new land use, etc.
The programme is planned for the 2021-2027 programme period. The eligibility of expenses starts in 2021 and ends in 2029 when the programme will be ultimately closed. The operational programme is expected to be approved by the European Commission, and first applications should be accepted at the beginning of the following year.
We will keep you informed about any further developments.