“Significant” Coal Reduction Needed in “Every Pathway”- IEA

“Every pathway” to avoiding severe climate change impacts requires “significant” coal-related emissions reductions, according to a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA). The report highlighted coal as being the largest emitter of energy‐related CO2 – responsible for 15 gigatonnes in 2021 alone – as well as being the largest source of electricity generation, accounting for 36% in 2021. Due to coal’s high emissions intensity, the transition from coal will need a “special focus”, the IEA said.  More than 95% of current global coal consumption is from countries that have pledged to achieve net zero emissions, but competition from cost‐effective clean energy technologies, such as renewables, is increasing. However, the historic contribution of coal to jobs and growth means countries including Indonesia, Mongolia, China, Vietnam, India and South Africa face a “challenging” transition. Fatih Birol, IEA’s Executive Director, said: “While there is encouraging momentum towards expanding clean energy in many governments’ policy responses to the current energy crisis, a major unresolved problem is how to deal with the massive amount of existing coal assets worldwide.” 

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