Contents
Article 4Research objectives for coal#
1.Research projects shall aim to accelerate the transition, by 2050, towards a climate-neutral Union economy, with the objectives of supporting the phasing out of fossil fuels, especially coal, and supporting the social, economic and ecological revitalisation of coal regions, developing alternative activities on former mine sites and avoiding or addressing the environmental damage from coal mines in the process of closure, formerly operating coal mines and the regions in which coal mines are located.
2.Special attention shall be given to strengthening Union leadership in managing the transition, including repurposing, of formerly operating coal mines and coal-related infrastructure through technological and non-technological solutions, while supporting technology and non-technology transfer. Research activities with those objectives shall present tangible climate and environmental benefits in line with the objective of climate neutrality by 2050.
4.Research projects shall seek to eliminate the impact of coal mines in the process of closure and of formerly operating mines on the climate, atmosphere, water and soils.
5.Research projects shall consider:
(a)new and improved technologies to avoid environmental pollution, such as methane leakage and associated greenhouse emissions and contamination of water tables, of coal mines in the process of closure, formerly operating mines and their surroundings, including the atmosphere, land, soils and water;
(b)solutions for managing and reusing mining wastes, improving circularity and restoring the environment; and
(c)technologies to restore and protect sites from long-term effects.
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