""...The EU was founded on the coal and steel sectors. Both have to undergo substantial transformation to fit into the world outlined in the Paris Agreement. Past transitions in these sectors, with a few notable exceptions, have often left a painful legacy which cannot be repeated if humanity is to decarbonise. Rather than setting frameworks and hoping for the best, a new approach to policy making is required of which the core foundations are new models of ownership, accountability, management and delivery, which is in the interests of citizens, workers, communities and future generations, need to be institutionalised throughout Europe's regions, national and supranational governments. In this study, we examine three case studies of the coal and steel sectors from North Rhine Westphalia in Germany, the UK and Bilbao in the Basque region of Spain. These regional transitions are important because change change will impact on these regions either directly through environmental catastrophe or evolving socio-economic models. Each story highlights marked differences in the approach, ownership and legacy of regional rejuvenation. Each region's approach gives powerful insights on the need to realign EU, national and regional transition policy, the Multiannual Financial Framework, regional policy, the Covenant of Mayors, clean energy and climate policy to empower leaders. ..."

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