Tackling climate change and Estonian energy policy: facilitating a meaningful dialogue about future

Energy production in Estonia is highly dependent on the use of oil shale which provides 70% of the country’s electricity supply. As a result, Estonia has one of the biggest carbon footprints in the world (14 tons of CO2 per capita), and the trend is rising. At the same time, there is no clearly expressed intention of promoting a transition to renewable energy in coming years.

The end of the oil shale industry would create major socio-economic risks in north-eastern Estonia and reduce state revenues. So far, there has been very little open discussion among stakeholders about climate policy, a possible energy transition and solutions for the foreseeable socio-economic consequences.

• Public debate initiated: The project helped to establish a broad social discussion about a fair phase-out of shale oil power generation. NGOs and the organisations implementing the project gained significantly more visibility in the media and were sought after as experts.  
• Increased investment pressure: Despite the initial continuation of public projects, the project contributed to key players such as the banking sector now rejecting new investments in shale oil due to economic risks – a sign of changing conditions.  
• Foundations for a just transition laid: The project's analyses of the employment effects and economic prospects of a switch to renewable energies, as well as a jointly developed Just Transition Plan, can serve as a data basis for future decisions by political decision-makers.

• Public debate initiated: The project helped to establish a broad social debate about a fair phase-out of shale oil power generation. NGOs and the organisations implementing the project gained far more visibility in the media and were in great demand as experts. 
• Increased investment pressure: Despite the initial continuation of public projects, the project contributed to key players such as the banking sector now rejecting new investments in shale oil due to the financial risks – a sign that conditions are changing. 
• Foundations for a just transition laid: The project's analyses of the employment effects and economic prospects afforded by a switch to renewable energies, together with a jointly developed Just Transition Plan, can provide baseline data for future policy decisions.