Structural change now! Lusatians and Central Germans are demanding change

Structural change now! Lusatians and Central Germans are demanding change

The discussion about the coal phase-out in Germany is becoming increasingly urgent, especially from the brown coal mining regions in Lusatia and Central Germany. According to a current survey by the MAS Society for Market Analysis and Strategy, 69% of those surveyed in Lusatia and 60% in the Central German Revier see structural change as necessary. This represents the highest proportion of supporters since 2020 notes the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The population in both regions expresses concern about numerous challenges that structural change brings with it. These include, among other things, the labor market, economic development, future healthcare, migration and the increased cost of living. Despite these concerns, the mood in both areas remains stable: around 50% of those surveyed are optimistic about the future reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Opinions on the energy transition

Views on the energy transition vary between regions. In Lusatia, 44% of respondents support the transition to renewable energy, while 42% are against it. In the Central German Revier, 47% support the energy transition, but 36% reject this process. A majority of respondents in both regions are against an early phase-out of coal. Nevertheless, there is broad support for the expansion of renewable energies, particularly in the area of ​​solar energy said the southern German.

However, the path to phasing out lignite has not just been an issue since today. The publication “The German Brown Coal Industry”, which was first published in 2017, served as a data basis for the Commission for Growth, Structural Change and Employment. She also played a key role in the adoption of the coal phase-out law in the summer of 2020. In the current coalition agreement, the governing parties have agreed to accelerate the phase-out of coal, ideally by 2030 states Agora Energiewende.

Goals and challenges

To achieve the coal phase-out by 2030, high investments in renewable energies and the introduction of a minimum CO₂ price are planned. A current and comprehensive fact base on the lignite industry is considered necessary in order to promote a transparent discussion about the phase-out. An update of the study is intended to present the dynamic developments of the last few years and the existing regulations for ending lignite-fired power generation in Germany continued Agora Energiewende.

In summary, it can be seen that structural change in the lignite mining areas of Lusatia and Central Germany is seen as urgently needed, with the population sharing both fears and hopes for the future.