The European Green Deal sets an ambitious vision for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050, requiring a fundamental transformation of energy systems and the phasing out of fossil fuels. As part of this transition, coal-dependent regions face profound industrial, economic, and social challenges. This session focuses on the scientific, technological, and socio-economic research needed to support the just transition of coal and lignite regions, ensuring environmental restoration, economic revitalization, and social equity.

Relevant topics include but are not limited to:
• Adaptive reuse of coal mines and related infrastructure (e.g., power plants, shafts, rail networks) for energy storage, district heating, or industrial parks.
• Environmental restoration of post-mining landscapes, including water table protection, mine drainage treatment, and biodiversity recovery.
• Ground stability monitoring and subsidence risk management in former mining areas.
• Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from abandoned and closing coal mines.
• Innovative development of advanced materials from mining waste and tailings, emphasizing their applications in construction, energy storage, and environmental remediation.
• Valorization of mining waste, fly ash, and desulphurization residues for non-energetic uses and raw material recovery, with minimized environmental and health impacts.
• Development and testing of carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies in former coal regions.
• Exploration and implementation of geothermal energy systems on repurposed coal mine sites.
• Health-focused research on mining-related diseases and protective measures during mine closure and post-operational phases.
• Strategies for reskilling and upskilling coal workers, including research on effective training programs and labor market integration into emerging green sectors.