Concept of Transformation of the Socioeconomic System of the Kuzbass in the Context of Decarbonization Policy

The transformation of the Kuzbass (Kemerovo oblast) economy has been presented in regional strategic planning documents for decades as the most important tool for accelerated development. The authors of the article argue that, unfortunately, over the past 20 years, almost no qualitative changes have occurred in the Kuzbass economy, and they name the reasons for this situation. Currently, Kuzbass faces the difficult task of choosing a long-term development model. On the one hand, despite existing internal challenges and risks, the government is directing business and society towards accelerated development, relying primarily on the growth of coal production and development of small and medium-sized businesses. On the other hand, a critical mass of subjective and objective circumstances is gradually accumulating in Kuzbass, which in the medium term can radically change the situation, and transformation of the economy will be the only possible development model. The main problem is the prospect of coal being squeezed out of the global economy under the pressure of the decarbonization trend. In Russia, there is no generally recognized systematic approach to the issue of structural reorganization of coal-producing regions in the context of a decarbonization policy. The authors, having studied current world practices, propose an original concept for transformation of the Kuzbass economy based on the Just Transition Principles, used by the European Union. A prerequisite for its successful implementation should be a dialogue between government, business, and society in developing and agreeing on corridors for the future development of the region.