Kuzbass as a Coal-producing Territory: Transformation Experience and Assessment of Development Corridors

Abstract

The processes of coal abandonment in Russia caused by the energy transition and decarbonization of the world economy are considered within the framework of the theory of sustainable development of territories and evolutionary economic geography. The abandonment of coal in the strategic perspective will affect the interests of coal clusters, cities and regions, will make significant adjustments in inter-regional and inter-industry relations. In modern Russia, Kuzbass will be the first to make the transition from coal. The authors have studied how, since the beginning of the 20th century, the development of the natural resource potential of the territory and the development of the region went through a series of transformations, accompanied by a change of paradigms, models and tools. Now the Kemerovo Region is facing the task of fundamentally restructuring its development strategy. The first stage (until 2035) is not about replacing coal as the core of the economic paradigm, but about creating additional points of growth and stabilization. At the second stage (after 2035), the region will have to radically transform the socio-economic system, abandoning coal as the main source of income of the territory. According to the authors, the transformation should be based on the principles of “Just Transition”. (Just Transition), widely used in the European Union. The paper discusses some of them and gives recommendations for further adaptation of the principles of “Just Transition” to the conditions of Kuzbass. This will prevent the deterioration of the socio-economic situation of the region and its inhabitants, as well as prepare a platform for further development.