| Title | 12. The Power of Energy Communities for a Just Transition in Europe |
|---|---|
| Contributor | Francesc Cots(author) |
| Jérémie Fosse(author) | |
| Diana Mangalagiu(author) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.11647/obp.0499.12 |
| Landing page | https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0499/chapters/10.11647/obp.0499.12 |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
| Copyright | Francesc Cots; Jérémie Fosse; Diana Mangalagiu |
| Publisher | Open Book Publishers |
| Published on | 2025-12-08 |
| Long abstract | This chapter examines the evolving concept of Just Transition (JT) in Europe, emphasizing the shift from extractive, carbon-intensive economies to sustainable, community-centred energy systems. It analyzes the European Union’s Just Transition Mechanism (JTM), highlighting its focus on coal-dependent regions and the sociopolitical, cultural, and economic challenges that impede transition. The chapter argues that, beyond technological and financial solutions, deeply rooted identities and local narratives must be addressed to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness. Energy communities are presented as catalysts for democratizing the energy transition, fostering local ownership, and overcoming resistance in regions historically reliant on coal. However, the development of genuine energy communities faces obstacles, including regulatory fragmentation and risks of corporate capture. The chapter concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks, safeguard community integrity, and promote citizen-led initiatives, positioning energy communities as pivotal actors in achieving a just and inclusive transition to a low-carbon future in Europe. |
| Page range | pp. 191–204 |
| Print length | 14 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |
Francesc Cots is a lawyer holding a PhD in Environmental Policy and Law. He brings almost twenty-five years of professional experience dedicated to climate change, energy, environmental policy, and sustainable development. Currently, his work at Eco-union focuses on coordinating European Horizon projects on climate change and energy, such as INCITE-DEM and TIPPING+, in addition to other national projects. His expertise extends to serving as an ambassador for the European Commission’s Just Transition Platform and as an expert advisor and member of the Stakeholder Reference Group for the Horizon project KNOWING, which is dedicated to climate change. He is the lead author of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe’s report “Engaging Citizens and Local Communities in the Solar Revolution” (published in May 2022 and updated in June 2024) and Ecounion and Friends of the Earth Europe’s report “Corporate Capture of Energy Communities: A Threat to a Citizen-Led Energy Transition in Europe”, and has contributed to numerous reports on energy communities, with the most recent being “Community Engagement and Fair Benefit Sharing of Renewable Energy Projects”. Furthermore, he is a co-author of book chapters published by Earthscan, Springer, and Cambridge University Press, and articles in journals like Environmental and Planning C. From 2015 to 2022, he worked as a lawyer for the renewable energy cooperative SOM ENERGIA SCCL. He is also currently a Professor at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), teaching the subject of Energy and Sustainable Consumption. His experience across diverse environments—academia, consultancy, and the public sector—equips him with a deep and cross-cutting understanding of all relevant aspects involved in guiding communities toward sustainability.
Jérémie Fosse is an international expert on green and blue economy transitions in
the Euro-Mediterranean region. He is Co-founder and President of Eco-union, an
independent environmental think-and-do tank based in Barcelona, and a board
member of several Civil Society organizations including Climate Action Network
(CAN) Europe, European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the Mediterranean
Information Office for Environment, Sustainable Development and Education (MIOECSDE). His work bridges policy, research, and stakeholder engagement, supporting
public institutions, NGOs, and multilateral bodies such as UNEP, OECD, the European
Commission, and the World Bank. He has contributed to over thirty international reports and international research projects, notably on sustainable economy, energy
transitions, and participatory democracy (e.g., PROSEU, TIPPING+, INCITE-DEM).
He is also the initiator of multi-stakeholders initiatives such as the Blue Tourism
Initiative and the Eco Forum. Fosse holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering (INSA
Lyon), an Executive MBA (ESADE Business School), and is currently enrolled in the
Global Executive Master (GEM) at the European University Institute (2024–2026). His
academic and advisory activities focus on environmental governance, sustainability
strategies, and socioecological transitions across Europe, North Africa, and beyond.
Diana Mangalagiu is a leading interdisciplinary scientist specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and strategic foresight, advancing research on sustainability transitions, risk governance, and long-term policy planning. With a dual background in natural and social sciences, holding a PhD in Artificial Intelligence (Ecole Polytechnique), MSc in Physics, MSc in Sociology, and MSc in Management, she brings over two decades of experience spanning academia, policy, and advisory work. Her expertise is widely recognized through leadership roles such as Co-Chair of the Sixth Global Environment Outlook for the pan-European region and Coordinating Lead Author of the IPBES Nexus Assessment. She has co-founded the Initiative for Science, Society and Policy Dialogue and serves as Co-Chair and Special Advisor to the World Energy Council and on scientific and advisory boards including the Global Climate Forum and the International Science Council. Diana has led projects with the World Bank, OECD, European Space Agency, and multiple UN agencies. A Romanian and French national fluent in seven languages, Diana is committed to bridging science, policy, and practice to foster systemic change in global sustainability. Recent publications include the IPBES Nexus Assessment on the Interlinkages among Biodiversity, Water, Food, Health and Climate, Navigating New Horizons—A Global Foresight Report on Planetary Health and Human Wellbeing, “Positive Tipping Points Towards Sustainability”, and the special issue Enabling Sustainable Transitions in Coal and Carbon-Intensive Regions: Interdisciplinary Social Science Perspectives in Global Environmental Change.