Key Facts

• Coal combustion is responsible for over 30% of global temperature rise.
• More than 800,000 people die each year due to pollution from burning coal.
• The COP26 presidency outcomes included a 76% collapse in the coal pipeline since 2015.
• The UK is a signatory to the UN’s “No New Coal Compact”.
• The Cumbria colliery has permission until 2049.
• Dr Andrew Pimm estimated that transport emissions savings could be less than 2% of coal emissions.
• Green Alliance estimates that the mine would release 17,500 tonnes of methane annually.
• Liberty Steel's plant in Rotherham uses electric arc furnaces replacing coal-fired blast furnaces.
• Tata Steel plans to transition to a greener steel plant with £1.5 billion investment.
• The EU has 38 green steel plants and plans for 23 more; the UK has one.
• 44% of EU steel is from electric furnaces, compared to 69% in the US.
• The former COP President warned that opening new coalmines would undermine climate leadership efforts.
• A statutory duty on the Coal Authority to promote an economically viable coal industry is at odds with climate ambitions.
• Rupa Huq is addressing clauses 270 to 273 in the Energy Bill.
• The clauses aim to prohibit new coalmines in the UK.
• Germany, despite its Energiewende programme, remains a heavy user of coal for electricity generation compared to the UK.
• Coal burning produces twice as much pollution per kilowatt-hour as gas.
• There was a record low level of coal mining last year.
• Virtually no deep-mine coal was extracted last year.
• Surface mining produced about 1 million tonnes last year, half of what it was five years ago.
• Imports of coal were 4.6 million tonnes last year, also half of what they were a few years ago.
• The Minister acknowledged the importance of a net zero objective for Ofgem.
• Heritage railways consumed 25,000 tonnes of coal last year, while traction engines used 4,200 tonnes.
• Diesel reciprocating engines can be converted for local energy production but are not categorized as such in community energy schemes.
• The MP supports changing licence arrangements to allow small-scale enterprises to sell locally without national licensing.
• Clause 273 would tweak licence arrangements so companies can specifically sell to local customers.
• The Labour council gave permission three times for the Cumbrian coalmine.
• The clause would prohibit the opening of new coalmines but not mining as such.
• The latest IPCC report states that existing fossil fuel infrastructure already exceeds the limit for global heating compared with preindustrial times.
• At COP26, the Government announced a lead role in ending the use of coal, yet proceeded with the Cumbria coalmine in December 2022.
• There is broad cross-party support for community energy schemes.
• More than 60 businesses have written in support of clauses 272 and 273.
• Huq has proposed a major investment of £400 million in community energy projects and £600 million for local authorities to build clean-power cities, towns, and villages.
• The statement references a poll showing 65% agreement with net zero goals but rejection of other aspects due to speed.
• Germany's decision to switch off nuclear power led to increased reliance on coal, highlighting policy impacts on energy sources.
• Alec Shelbrooke argues that the UK needs backup plans including potential new mines for steel-making industry's electricity demands.
• The Government's programme aims to non-replace off-grid businesses' combustion heating systems from 2024 onwards.
• There is uncertainty about achieving decarbonisation goals by 2035 due to resource constraints and financial limitations for households and businesses.
• Battery storage technology faces challenges related to rare earth elements supply chains, thermal runaway incidents, and the need for specific chemicals that are not regulated in residential areas.