Case Study
Institutional Capacities for a Just Transition in Coal Regions: The case of La Jagua de Ibirico, Colombia
Local and regional economies dependent on coal production have faced serious challenges in recent years due to the volatility of global coal markets. Since 2020, the Colombian department of Cesar, particularly the municipality of La Jagua de Ibirico, has experienced serious consequences after the sudden termination of operations of one of the main coal mining companies active in the country. This event not only marked a critical shift for the local economy but also unleashed a series of profound social and economic impacts.
This case study describes some of the institutional and financial challenges of supporting just coal transitions, pointing to the urgency and complexity of planning. In addition, it highlights the fallout of the coal industry’s departure and uses these lessons to recommend how other coal-dependent governments can avoid these problems and plan for a just transition that lessens the blow of coal’s decline.
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