11/12/2017 (Agence Europe) – Ahead of the One Planet summit on the climate (see EUROPE 11920), the European Commission announced on Monday 11 December the launch of a platform to help the coal regions make a successful energy transition. According to the Commission, the platform aims to guarantee the transition of these regions to clean energies and puts emphasis on social fairness and the development of new skills. It will bring together stakeholders at European, national and regional levels involved in the energy transition, in an effort to enhance partnerships and facilitate the exchange of experiences. The European Commission indicates that the initiative will initially be limited to the coal regions but will then be extended to the high-intensity coal regions. 41 regions in 12-member states will be affected as well as the 185,000 people still employed in coal mining. (PH)