G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA, as well as the EU) met in Turin, Italy. This is the first major political meeting since COP28 in December, when the world pledged to divest from fossil fuels.

far from coal

Andrew Bowie, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, confirmed the news. Classroom CNBC interview. “We will give up coal in the first half of 2030,” the minister said.

G7 countries will generate 16% of their electricity from coal in 2023, up from 29% in 2015, according to energy think tank Ember.

• In 2023, Japan will have the highest share with 32 percent, followed by Germany with 27 percent.
• The USA corresponds to the G7 average (16%).
• Other G7 members have already largely abandoned coal: France (0.4%), the United Kingdom (1.4%), Canada (5%) and Italy (5.3%).

This is another nail in the coal coffin. The road to phasing out coal has been long: more than seven years have passed since the UK, France, Italy and Canada committed to phasing out coal; So it’s good to see the US, and especially Japan, finally expressing their intentions more clearly.
says Dave Jones, Ember Global Insights Program Director.

The problem is that while coal-fired power is already shrinking, gas-fired power is not. G7 countries have already pledged to “fully or substantially” decarbonise their energy sectors by 2035; This means phasing out not only coal but also natural gas by 2035. Coal may be the dirtiest fuel, but all fossil fuels must eventually be phased out.

In 2023, G7 countries will produce 34% of their electricity from gas. This rate was 29% in 2015.

Coal’s role in pollution

Coal plays a significant role in environmental pollution because not only its use but also its extraction negatively affects various aspects of nature.

• Atmosphere. Burning coal in power plants and industrial processes releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which causes climate change and global warming. Particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur emissions from coal-fired power plants deteriorate air quality, leading to respiratory diseases, acid rain and smog.
• This. Mineral waters and wastewater of coal processing plants contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, acids and salts that pollute water resources. Coal dust spills and mining accidents can lead to direct contamination of rivers and groundwater.
• lands. The ash and sludge created by burning coal often contain toxic substances that can contaminate the soil and harm plants and animals. Acid rain, caused by emissions from coal-fired power plants, can acidify soils, making them less productive.
• ecosystems. Coal mining can lead to the destruction of natural habitats, loss of biodiversity and fragmentation of ecosystems. Pollution of air, water and soil can have harmful effects on plants, animals and entire ecosystems.
• people’s health. Breathing polluted air containing coal dust particles and other harmful substances can lead to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Water pollution can lead to poisoning and other health problems.

It is important to note that there are technologies that can help reduce coal’s environmental impact, such as filters for power plants, sewage treatment plants, and land reclamation techniques. But a full transition to cleaner energy sources such as solar and wind is key to ensuring a sustainable future and protecting our environment.