In a world confronted with the unprecedented challenge of decarbonising entire economies, Germany’s Coal Commission experience offers an ambitious attempt to reconcile climate action with worker rights and community well-being. The Commission’s work led to a legally binding coal phase-out by 2038, underpinned by €40 billion in public investment, a no-layoffs commitment, and a framework emphasizing high-quality, collectively bargained jobs.
The analysis explores how this transition was structured through Germany’s unique co-determination system, blending government, union, industry, and civil society input. It also assesses in how far the Coal Commission can serve as a global model for delivering a high-standard Just Transition.
While the German experience sets a relatively high bar for transition planning, replicability depends on a country’s institutional strength, robust labour rights, social safety nets, and commitment to inclusive governance. Without those foundations, the global promise of a Just Transition risks becoming more symbolic than substantive.

Please read the analysis here.

Author: Jonathan Tasini, Executive director of Just Transition For All