Energy transition and green jobs through land restoration in Serbia
Problem
- Reduce country's reliance on coal (70% of energy)
- Ensure 'Just Transition' for coal miners and vulnerable groups
- Restore >100,000 ha of degraded lands
Solution
- Short rotation willow for co-firing--positive ROI years 5-20+
- Agroforestry borders around plantations
- Permanent tree areas on non-agricultural land
- Co-locatable renewable energy (solar PV, wind, geothermal)
Impact
- 75,000 ha of sustainable biomass for multiple new value chains
- 15,000-30,000 green jobs (direct and indirect)
- Restored biodiversity and soil on 100,000+ ha
- Rural green economic (infrastructure) growth and resilience