Some very positive news today, a huge improvement on previous estimates for the future of the coal industry.
A new report shows that since 2010 the number of cancelled coal projects across the world has outstripped those which were completed at an amazing rate of 2:1. This is fantastic news especially since it has occurred during a period of economic growth. It is also showing a massive change from the coal-fired power plant boom in 2005 - 2012.
Sierra Club and CoalSwarm tacked the progress and have recorded the decline of coal-fired power plants in The Global Coal Plant Tracker.
The Global Coal Plant Tracker provides information on every known coal-fired electrical generating unit proposed since January 1, 2010. The tracker uses a two-level system for organizing information. Summary information including location, status, sponsor, size, and carbon dioxide emissions is found on the maps and table. For further detail, each unit shown on a map or in a table is linked to a wiki page on SourceWatch.- Global Coal Plant Tracker
You can see more from the Global Coal Plant Tracker here.
Why has the has happened?
- The Mining boom is turning bust.
- India's coal boom has withered.
- In the United States and the European Union, coal capacity continues a long-term decline.
- Increase of renewable energy across the globe.
This news comes to us just days after the announcement that for the first time in 40 years, global emissions has stopped growing. The International Energy Agency shared the news on Friday.
There is still a lot of work to be done!
Even if this amazing conversation rate remains, there is still work to be down. The report explains:
"Even if the trend of two coal plant proposals halted for every one plant built continues, the remaining one-third will use up nearly all of the available carbon budget for avoiding the internationally recognised 2°C warming thresh- old."
What you can do
Electricity retailers offer a sometimes baffling array of GreenPower products, and while 10% and 100% are the main consumer choices, you can make other selections starting with the base calculation for this activity of 20%.
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