Climate change and energy transition: The end of coal?

Accounting for about one quarter of global primary energy supply, coal is used mainly for power generation, heating, and in industries such as iron, steel and cement manufacturing. It provides almost 40 % of global electricity production and is responsible for over 40 % of energy-related CO2 emissions. While the global use of coal is driven by emerging economies in Asia, the West – and Europe in particular – is seeing a sharp decline in coal use because of air pollution, climate policies and, in some cases, cheaper alternatives. The Covid 19 pandemic caused a further drop in coal demand in 2020 (with a rebound in 2021). However, the recent dramatic rise in gas prices, concerns over gas supply linked to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the EU embargo on coal imports from Russia may slow down coal exit processes.