The panel will address the challenges, impacts, and risks of energy transition in territories where economy, culture, and social identity are historically tied to fossil fuels. It will anchor the discussion in the Just Energy Transition Plan of Rio Grande do Sul (TEJ-RS), Brazil’s first state-level plan on the topic. Focusing on coal-dependent regions, which hold the country’s largest reserves and host municipalities reliant on coal, the panel will gather international, national, and subnational perspectives. Speakers will share civil society experiences, international lessons, and local government views on alternatives for coal-dependent economies, while also exploring the role of national energy planning. The debate will highlight how principles of recognition and restorative, distributive, and procedural justice can guide transitions that mitigate social impacts and unlock sustainable development opportunities. It will also stress multi-level governance and bottom-up approaches to ensure that no one is left behind.