Spain's Plan to Quit the Coal Industry Explained

Climate change is happening and one industry in particular will have to undergo a huge transformation and all but disappear by 2050—the coal industry.

But what does this mean for that industry and governments around the world? And what about the workers the coal industry employs?
We’re taking a look at the steps one country is taking to prepare for a clean energy economy, while trying to make sure no one gets left behind.

To avoid the most devastating consequences of climate change, a United Nations panel of scientists has recently warned that drastic action is required around the world.  

In Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s priorities were taking immediate action to address climate change. That meant drastic action to limit Spain’s coal industry.
The country had to comply with a European Union directive that said that public funds could no longer be used  to keep unprofitable coal mines open. This meant that those mines had to be shut down by the end of 2018. And that is exactly what happened.

By December of 2018, roughly three out of four of Spain’s coal miners clocked out of work for the last time. But Spain’s socialist government cut a deal with several affiliated miner’s unions, referred to as the “Just Transition” deal.

So we’re taking a look at the innovative steps Spain is taking to prepare for a clean energy economy, while trying to make sure no one gets left behind.

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