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Tackling Complexity of the Just Transition in the EU: Evidence from Romania

Author

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  • Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu

    (The Faculty of International Business and Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Clara Volintiru

    (The Faculty of International Business and Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Maria-Floriana Popescu

    (The Faculty of International Business and Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Vlad Nerău

    (The Faculty of Theoretical and Applied Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

  • George Ștefan

    (The Faculty of Theoretical and Applied Economics, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010374 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The process of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and cutting CO 2 emissions by 2030 by 55% compared to 1990 as per the EU Green Deal is highly complex. The energy mix must be changed to ensure long-term environmental sustainability, mainly by closing down coal sites, while preserving the energy-intensive short-term economic growth, ensuring social equity, and opening opportunities for regions diminishing in population and potential. Romania is currently in the position of deciding the optimal way forward in this challenging societal shift while morphing to evidence-based policy-making and anticipatory governance, mainly in its two coal-mining regions. This article provides possible future scenarios for tackling this complex issue in Romania through a three-pronged, staggered, methodology: (1) clustering Romania with other similar countries from the point of view of the Just Transition efforts (i.e., the energy mix and the socio-economic parameters), (2) analyzing Romania’s potential evolution of the energy mix from the point of the thermal efficiency of two major power plants (CEH and CEO) and the systemic energy losses, and (3) providing insights on the socio-economic context (economic development and labor market transformations, including the component on the effects on vulnerable consumers) of the central coal regions in Romania.

Suggested Citation

  • Roxana Voicu-Dorobanțu & Clara Volintiru & Maria-Floriana Popescu & Vlad Nerău & George Ștefan, 2021. "Tackling Complexity of the Just Transition in the EU: Evidence from Romania," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:5:p:1509-:d:513737
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    Cited by:

    1. Kerstin Mohr, 2021. "Breaking the Dichotomies: Climate, Coal, and Gender. Paving the Way to a Just Transition. The Example of Colombia," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-18, September.
    2. Florian Gaman & Cristina Iacoboaea & Mihaela Aldea & Oana Luca & Adrian Andrei Stănescu & Carmen Mihaela Boteanu, 2022. "Energy Transition in Marginalized Urban Areas: The Case of Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-22, June.
    3. Marius Constantin & Mihai Dinu & Simona Roxana Patarlageanu & Cristian Chelariu, 2021. "Sustainable Development Disparities in the EU-27 Based on R&D and Innovation Factors," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(Special15), pages 948-948, November.
    4. Andreea - Emanuela Dragoi & Paul Calanter & Mihaela Gramaticu & Alina Dumitrescu & Alina-Cerasela Aluculesei, 2023. "The Challenges for Green Energy in Romania under Current Energy Crisis," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(64), pages 728-728, August.
    5. Ibolya Török & József Benedek & Manuel Gómez-Zaldívar, 2022. "Quantifying Subnational Economic Complexity: Evidence from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    6. Florina Pinzaru & Alina Mihaela Dima & Alexandra Zbuchea & Zoltan Veres, 2022. "Adopting Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Business in Romania: A Multifaceted Approach in the Context of the Just Transition," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 24(59), pages 1-28.
    7. Radu Petrariu & Marius Constantin & Mihai Dinu & Simona Roxana Pătărlăgeanu & Mădălina Elena Deaconu, 2021. "Water, Energy, Food, Waste Nexus: Between Synergy and Trade-Offs in Romania Based on Entrepreneurship and Economic Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-23, August.

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