Government taking measures for just transition in FBiH

(Patria) - The Government of the Federation of BiH today adopted a conclusion on the Information from the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry regarding measures for just transition activities in FBiH in areas where active coal production is taking place.

The conclusion states that the Government expresses its full commitment to the just transition process in the Federation, in line with the international obligations undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the plans and needs to ensure energy quantities for the needs of the Federation.

The office of the Federal Prime Minister, and the Federal Ministries of Finance, Environment and Tourism, Spatial Planning, Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, Labour and Social Policy, and Transport and Communications, are tasked with submitting to the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry a proposal for a member to be part of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Commission - Steering Committee of FBiH for activities on developing the Strategy for the Just Transition of the Energy Sector of the Federation of BiH by 2030 with a projection to 2050 and support for just transition projects in FBiH.

The Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry is tasked with preparing a draft decision on the appointment of the Interdepartmental Ministerial Commission - Steering Committee of FBiH for supporting just transition projects in FBiH and submitting it to the Government for consideration and adoption.

In accordance with this conclusion, JP Elektroprivreda BiH d.d. Sarajevo, and the coal mines Zenica, Kreka, Kakanj, and Banovići are tasked with providing full support and coordination with the World Bank through their internally appointed working bodies, with the aim of submitting the data necessary for identifying priority investments and assessing indicators for monitoring the progress/achievement of the project.

The Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry is also tasked with continuing activities on the just transition process of the energy sector in FBiH and preparing strategic documents related to the just transition process.

The Ministry's Information states that the strategic goal of the Government of FBiH, cantonal governments, and local community assemblies is to establish a transparent and just transition process for the energy sector, along with simultaneous strategic economic development of local communities, cantons, and wider parts of the Federation of BiH, where coal has been exploited for decades.

Given that green transition or decarbonization of the energy sector is a long-term process, the relevant federal ministry also emphasized that the energy sector transition process requires the development of strategic documents that have outlined goals for the development of the Federation's energy sector during this long-term transition, including the planned development of renewable energy sources.

It is also reminded that, since no activities are being undertaken at the BiH level for the development of the Strategy for the Just Transition of the Energy Sector, the Government of FBiH, upon the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry, adopted a Decision on the Development of the Strategy for the Just Transition of the Energy Sector of the Federation of BiH by 2030 with a projection to 2050 at its session on April 30 this year.