Residents in brown coal communities call for fundamental reforms
A recent survey conducted by the "Lausitz-Monitor" and "Mitteldeutschland-Monitor" has revealed the views and challenges faced by the population in coal mining regions such as Lausitz and Central Germany, as they navigate the ongoing structural change and energy transition.
The survey, which polled 1,028 people in Lausitz and 2,003 people in Central Germany between March and April, found that a significant majority view structural change as urgently needed. In Lausitz, 69% of respondents agreed, while 60% in Central Germany shared the same sentiment. This is the highest proportion measured since 2020.
The concerns of the population revolve around the labor market situation, strengthening the economy, future healthcare, migration, and the rising cost of living. Despite these challenges, around 50% of respondents in both coal mining regions reported feeling rather optimistic about the future.
In Lausitz, efforts are underway to transform the economic base by developing innovative sectors such as green technologies, sustainable mobility, and circular economy initiatives. The Lusatia Investor Center, for instance, supports the ecological and sustainable transformation with a focus on green energy generation and storage technologies.
However, regions such as Hoyerswerda in Central Germany still face persistent unemployment and poverty, especially among children, highlighting ongoing social challenges linked to structural change.
The energy transition and decarbonization are key themes in regional development, with the population increasingly aware and involved in the shift towards greener, sustainable industries. The survey found that the proportion of people supporting an energy transition is roughly equal to that of opponents in Lausitz, with 44% in support and 42% opposed. The expansion of renewable energies, especially solar energy, is widely supported.
In the Central German coal mining region, slightly more people support the energy transition than oppose it. Specifically, 47% support the energy transition, while 36% oppose it. An early coal phase-out is largely rejected in both regions.
The surveys, conducted by the MAS Gesellschaft für Marktanalyse und Strategie and other researchers, emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to facilitate this transition and improve public confidence in structural change outcomes. Strategic support and projects, such as the Lausitz Science Park, offer hope for new jobs and a better quality of life through combining research, innovation, and attractive living conditions.
In conclusion, the population in coal mining regions like Lausitz and Central Germany experiences mixed outlooks on structural change and the energy transition, marked by concerns about job security and social challenges but also by hope anchored in innovation-driven regional redevelopment and sustainable economic futures.
The survey highlights that in both Lausitz and Central Germany, a majority of the population supports the energy transition, with 44% and 47% respectively in favor, indicating a growing awareness and involvement in the shift towards greener, sustainable industries. Furthermore, the financing and development of innovative sectors like green technologies, sustainable mobility, and the circular economy are seen as crucial for the economic transformation of Lausitz.
