Coal
UK calls on countries to ‘consign coal to history’ at Cop26
As a global shift away from coal gathers momentum, the UK government is putting it at the heart of its the vision for this year’s UN climate talks in Glasgow
Germany raises ambition to net zero by 2045 after landmark court ruling
A surprise plan to strengthen Germany’s emission targets reignites debate on quitting coal and pricing carbon ahead of September’s election
Poland seeks to nationalise coal plants so firms can finance green investments
Warsaw’s energy transition proposals will require state aid approval from the European Commission, which is expected to insist on a coal exit date
Japan set to raise ambition of 2030 climate goal
The Japanese government is proposing to cut emissions 45% from 2013 levels by 2030, while campaigners push for deeper reductions
Bangladesh scraps nine coal power plants as overseas finance dries up
The rising costs of coal imports and Bangladesh’s role as chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum contributed to the decision to axe power projects, analysts say
Plans for UK coal mine suspended after criticism of net zero commitment
The UK Committee on Climate Change says the use of coking coal should be curbed by 2035, but the application says the mine will not be closed until the end of 2049
US plans to end fossil fuel finance overseas, threatens billions in support for oil and gas
Joe Biden has pledged to work to end public funding of ‘carbon-intensive’ fossil fuel projects – a wording campaigners fear leaves the door open to methane gas
South Korea 2050 net zero pledge spurs renewables investment
As the world’s fourth-largest importer of coal, South Korea needs to rapidly change its energy mix to achieve net zero emissions by 2050
UK net zero commitment questioned, as government allows new coal mine
The UK government has been accused of “rank hypocrisy” for letting a new coal mine go ahead while seeking to lead on climate as hosts of Cop26 summit
Pakistan signals coal power exit, in potential model for China’s belt and road
Imran Khan announced his government would not approve any more coal power plants and pivot to renewables, contrary to the grid operator’s forecast of a coal boom
Malaysian bank to phase out coal finance, in a victory for campaigners
CIMB has been hailed as the first major bank in an emerging market to publish a coal exit strategy, after investing $2.6 billion in the sector last decade
Czech commission calls for coal phase-out by 2038
Environmental groups, which urged the commission to endorse a 2033 end date, slammed the decision as ‘absurdly late’, while studies show a 2030 exit is feasible
In Java, a Japanese-financed coal plant threatens our health and livelihoods
The Indramayu coal plant will dirty our air, destroy our livelihoods and worsen the climate crisis. Japan must stop financing it immediately
Who will build the world’s last coal plant?
Banks, companies and governments are axing support for coal, driven by climate concerns and competition from renewables, but hundreds of plants are still in planning
Japan net zero emissions pledge puts coal in the spotlight
Prime minister Yoshihide Suga has promised to “fundamentally shift” Japan’s coal policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
World Bank branch indirectly backs coal megaproject despite green pledge
International Finance Corporation piloted its green equity policy with an Indonesian bank, which went on to fund a 2,000 MW coal complex
Poland’s largest utility announces pivot from coal to renewables
PGE has announced a strategy to go 100% renewable by 2050, but it depends on passing responsibility for coal mines to another Polish state-owned entity
South Korea pursues Vietnamese coal plant, drawing international criticism
A decision by state-owned utility Kepco to invest in Vung Ang 2 coal power station goes against the government’s “green new deal” rhetoric
Poland agrees coal mining phase out with unions by 2049
Agreeing an end date for coal mining is a big step for Polish trade unions, but climate experts say 2049 is too late and Brussels won’t agree to state aid plans
Bangladesh considers scrapping 90% of its coal power pipeline
The energy minister has signalled a major pivot away from Chinese-funded coal plants in Bangladesh, but this is not yet government policy