Coal powered Britain’s industrial and economic expansion during its Industrial Revolution. The abundance of coal discovered in Britain was a key factor that enabled the country’s early industrialisation, developing technologies and industries unfeasible elsewhere due to the lack of cheap energy sources. The British Empire’s expansion was partly driven by the need for other resources and labour to fuel this industrial growth, leading to the exploitation of natural resources in colonised regions.
The demand for coal intensified as the British economy expanded, and the empire’s infrastructure, such as steam-powered railways and ships, was largely powered by coal. This infrastructure extended the empire’s colonial expansion and exploitation of resources.
The British Empire’s decline after World War II coincided with significant economic changes in the UK. As the empire contracted, the UK faced economic challenges that necessitated a shift in industrial focus. The coal industry, which had been a cornerstone of the British economy during the height of the empire, began to decline as the UK sought to modernise its economy and reduce reliance on traditional industries. As the empire declined, the UK faced increased competition from other countries that were industrialising and developing their own energy resources. This competition, combined with the high cost of domestic coal production, made coal less economically viable on the global market. These market conditions made it possible for Margaret Thatcher, then Prime Minister, to rapidly and infamously dismantle coal mining in the UK, closing 159 coal mines 1984-1994.
The Clean Air Act of 1950 and later environmental policies further accelerated the decline of coal. The “Dash for Gas” in the 1990s, driven by the repeal of restrictions on gas use in power stations, further reduced coal’s share in the energy mix. In the 2000s, improvements to battery storage, increasingly cheaper renewable energy technologies, and carbon credit schemes, made coal progressively uncompetitive and unnecessary.
The decline in coal mining in the UK and the slower decline of coal use means the UK became increasingly dependent on coal imports, often from former colonies and poorer regions of the world. The colonial dynamics of this was increasingly centred by activists in the UK in grassroots resistance to ongoing coal dependency. Activists highlighted that the UK’s continuing use of coal in the UK had a double effect of inflicting on the global south; off-shoring localised environmental damage and displacement from coal mining, and then the worst consequences of climate change that burning that coal would return to those communities. The widely publicised climate camps and grassroots campaigning helped shape an increasingly negative public perception of coal. This, together with declining reliance on coal, coincided with a new UK Labour Government policy in 2009 that any new coal-fired power station would need to be fitted with carbon capture and storage. This technology was so expensive and largely ineffective that it effectively deterred any proposals for new coal-fired power stations. With existing and ageing coal-fired power stations coming to the end of their operating lives over the 15 years that followed, and now no coal-fired prospects to replace them, the Conservative Government that inherited this decline set in motion by the previous Government’s policy, branded it a new climate commitment to remove coal from the UK’s energy mix by 2025, later brought forward to 2024.
That brings us to Ratcliffe-on-Soar, that UK’s last coal-fired power station, fated to close at the end of September 2024, ending an era of coal-fired power generation in the UK. Coal used for other industrial purposes such as steel manufacturing and cement production are also a focus of decarbonisation efforts and public subsidy. As the UK moves away from the coal it used to rely upon, existing coal mines in the UK – most notably Aberpergwm, which is licenced to operate until 2039 – would need to export its coal to maintain sales. This could risk returning to a colonial dynamic where the UK benefits from dumping resources on developing countries that are considered unfit to use domestically due to air pollution and other factors.
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Published: 17. 09. 2024
Campaigners celebrate as the decision to allow a new coal mine in Cumbria is quashed.
Today, 13th September, South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth won their case, against the Conservative Government's 2022 decision, to allow a new coal mine. Following a hearing in the High Court in July 2024.
Delighted campaigners gathered outside the former County Hall in Kendal and in Whitehaven Market Place to hear the news together this morning.
The Judge, Mr Justice Holgate ruled, "The assumption that the proposed mine would not produce a net increase in GHG emissions, or would be a net zero mine, is legally flawed"
The case was won on 4 out of 5 grounds and the Judge rubbished the mining company's claims the mine would have been net zero.
Maggie Mason, South Lakes Action on Climate Change said, "As ordinary responsible people, we saw this horrendous example of fossil fuel company arrogance, the weakness of our local government, we knew enough science to know the terrible impacts this would have on our beautiful planet and people, the poorest and most vulnerable first."
"We could not stand by and do nothing to prevent it. We needed to tell the truth, work hard and pitch in some money to get a legal team that understood the issues."
The following were ruled against the mining company.
Issue (i) – breach of the 2011 Regulations, (ii) – the substitution issue (iii) - Impact of granting planning permission on UK’s leadership role in promoting international action on climate change (iv) Arrangements for offsetting GHG emissions from the operation of the mine
Issue (v) – Unlawful disparity in the treatment of the parties’ cases - was not agreed.
This victory means that 60 million tonnes of coal and associated methane will likely be left underground. West Cumbria Mining Ltd, could appeal the decision. Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, needs to decide how to proceed now the decision has been returned to the Government.
The public consultation window for the National Policy and Planning Framework represents the first opportunity since the new UK Government was formed to stop any new coal mine application winning planning permission across England. This sweeping change would go a long way to ruling out any new coal mines in the country.
For the last year we have been working behind the scenes to persuade political parties to commit to banning new coal mines in the UK. Thanks to our work, 5 major parties in Parliament committed to this in their manifestos, including the new UK Government.
One of the first actions the new Government is taking is to reform the National Planning Policy Framework. Their main focus is on building more houses and renewable energy projects. But one part of the NPPF advises local planning authorities on whether they should grant permission to applications for more coal extraction. Currently, the guidance is vague which and open to expensive legal challenge from mining companies which can make planners wary to refusing permission to new coal mine applications.
We know new coal extraction must be stopped, and we want the UK Government to ensure that happens in this reform by providing the clear direction planners need to confidently say NO to new coal mine applications.
The Government is running an open consultation on their proposed reforms until September 24th. The more folks who write in, the harder it'll be for the UK Government to ignore your collective call to draw the line in the sand right here, right now. Help us end coal mining in England by using our form to respond.
ERI Ltd launched its pre-application consultation in early 2024 to mine two coal tips in Bedwas, South Wales. The company is proposing to extract a total of around 468,000 tonnes of coal from both tips. This would drive further climate chaos by over 1.3 million tonnes of CO2, as well as devastate the coal tips’ natural regeneration over the past 30 years since it was abandoned. The project also endangers the beautiful Sirhowy Valley Country Park bordering one of the tips. ERI Ltd claims it would use some of the profits from the coal mining to restore the coal tips afterwards. This amounts to more coal mining to clean up the mess left by old coal mining—we’ve been here before with the nearby Ffos-y-fran site, and we know it doesn’t end well.
With over 300 category D coal tips in South Wales alone, ERI Ltd’s proposal could trigger a new wave of coal mining if it were successful. For the sake of localised impacts and our collective climate, we are therefore committed to challenging an application by ERI Ltd every step of the way, together with the local community resistance, Sirhowy Valley Country Park support group, Good Law Project, Friends of the Earth Cymru, and Climate Cymru.
Regular safety monitoring is considered sufficient for most category D coal tips abandoned by the coal industry in South Wales. But for coal tips that pose a danger to nearby communities, more coal mining isn’t the solution—we need swift remediation sensitive to local ecologies and lives. These diverse fungi were spotted by a local resident on a single walk nearby the coal tips:
The Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (CCEIC) has released a critical report on the management of opencast coal mining in Wales, particularly focusing on Ffos-y-Fran, one of the last opencast coal mines in the region. The report describes Ffos-y-Fran as a “symbol of the system's failures”, highlighting significant shortcomings in oversight.
The CCEIC specifically calls out Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (MTCBC) for its inaction regarding illegal mining activities that continued after the mine's license expired in September 2022. The report questions whether MTCBC could have done more, noting the Coal Authority's concerns about the lack of a robust closure plan.
Local residents have expressed deep concerns about their treatment by public authorities. The committee emphasized the need for improved transparency and engagement, urging MTCBC to involve residents in the revised restoration plan.
Campaigner Chris Austin welcomed the report, stating it offers strong recommendations for policy changes regarding coal mine restoration. He expressed hope that the findings would lead to better outcomes for Ffos-y-Fran and prevent future issues.
We praise the CCEIC for investigating the failures that allowed illegal mining to occur without repercussions. The focus now must be on the Welsh Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council implementing the committee’s concrete recommendations to restore justice to affected communities.
Among the 26 recommendations (see below for a full list), the CCEIC calls for the Welsh Government to ensure that policies on opencast coal mining are robust and protective of local communities. The Coal Action Network advocates for a clear ban on coal mining in Wales, similar to Scotland's 2022 decision, to prevent mismanagement in the future.
The report serves as a crucial reminder of the need for accountability and proactive measures in managing natural resources in Wales.
Own emphasis
Published: 08. 08. 2024
From Tuesday 16th July to lunchtime 18th July, Lord Holgate heard the case, brought by South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth, against the Government’s 2022 approval of a new underground coal mine at Whitehaven.
In the preceding week the new Government accepted the decision of the former Government was legally flawed, and has conceded the legal challenges to the approval. A Barrister representing the new Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, was present on the request of the Judge, but made no submissions.
Demonstrations in support of the court case were held in Whitehaven on the evening before the case began and on the first day of the hearing. In London, there was a demonstration before the start of the case, outside the High Court and a meeting of Quakers at lunch on the second day.
Estelle Dehon KC of Cornerstone Barristers representing South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth’s Barristers as to why the mine should not have been granted permission. This was based on the lack of consideration of emissions on use of the coal (the Finch case precident); errors in the Environmental Statement; the false argument that coal mined in the UK, means less mining abroad; failure to comply with the 6th carbon budget; and inconsistency of treatment of parties in the planning inquiry.
The Judge, Lord Holgate had ruled against Sarah Finch at the High Court, before she won her case in the Supreme Court. The Finch case law was much debated during the hearing looking at the Whitehaven coal mine. It states that emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels should be considered when deciding planning applications for new fossil fuel production.
Barrister James Stratchan KC for West Cumbria Mining Ltd set forth its case that the coal from Cumbria would perfectly substitute for more expensive coal from the USA so overall there is no increase in emissions. This assumes that coal mines with permission to be extracted coal in the USA would chose to leave the coal underground in an equal measure to it is extracted from this site. He tried to argue that as this coal was coking coal normally used in coal power stations, and as such it shouldn't be considered as a fossil fuel and therefore sought to avoid discussing the recent Finch victory.
Lord Holgate engaged in detail with the points put before him, but is not expected to deliver a decision until after some weeks of deliberation. If the case is upheld the decision would then be returned to the Secretary of State for a fresh decision, a process which is also likely to take weeks or months and involve another public inquiry, which may be limited in scope.
We will let you know when we have a decision to report on.
Fantastic news today, 20th June 2024. The UK Supreme Court has set a historical precedent, in overturning a previous ruling, considering the legality of approving a new oil site in Surrey.
The ground breaking decision stating that 'downstream' emissions (those released when a product is used) must be factored into decisions on whether to approve or reject planning applications for projects to extract those fossil fuels. It was a contentious decision within the Supreme Court with a 3-2 decision amongst the judges presiding over the case.
Not only will this decision stop this oil drilling from going ahead, it also sets a precedent against all UK fossil fuel extraction!
Consequently this decision should have a big impact on the upcoming West Cumbria coal mine legal challenge in the Court of Appeal 16th to 18th July.
There are 5 unique grounds that South Lakes Action on Climate Change and Friends of the Earth are appealing the decision to approve a 2.8 million tonnes a year coal mine to operate until 2049.
The reasoning for the decision against the Horse Hill project should directly impact two of these grounds against the approval of the West Cumbria coal mine. If the Court of Appeal agrees with any one ground, then the current planning permission will be overturned and the next Government will have to decided afresh whether to allow coal mining in Cumbria.
The Judges were clear in their ruling, “The whole purpose of extracting fossil fuels is to make hydrocarbons available for combustion. It can therefore be said with virtual certainty that, once oil has been extracted from the ground, the carbon contained within it will sooner or later be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and so will contribute to global warming. This is true even if only the net increase in greenhouse gas emissions is considered. Leaving oil in the ground in one place does not result in a corresponding increase in production elsewhere”
The grounds in the West Cumbria coal mine legal challenge this new decision impacts challenges are:
1) errors of law concerning whether ‘downstream emissions’ caused by the coking coal were indirect significant environment effects of the proposal.
2) error of law and/ or failure to give understandable reasons concerning substitution.
Cornerstone Barristers who acted on behalf of Sarah Finch and the Weald Action Group said, "the Court noted that the direct GHG emissions over the lifetime of the project had been described as having a “negligible” effect on the climate. By contrast, the Court considered that the downstream GHG emissions (which would have been nearly two orders of magnitude greater), “could not have been dismissed as “negligible” in that way” (§82)."
The Horse Hill oil well was expected to release over 10 million tonnes of CO2. The coal proposal at West Cumbria was expected to release slightly less than that each year. West Cumbria Mining Ltd who are behind the proposed mine, claim the mine would be net zero, by paying for carbon offsetting.
To divorce the production and supply of fossil fuels from the emissions of their use is a dangerous fiction. At Coal Action Network, we know the simple truth that when fossil fuels are extracted they are used. We also know that abundance and reliability of supply encourages reliance and discourages investment in alternatives.
Five political parties have ruled out new coal extraction ahead of the election. It's clear to the majority of the UK's political leaders that limiting the supply of fossil fuels is vital to reduce their use, and they're pledging to take action on that. With the ruling in the courts today reinforcing that message. It is obvious to most people - fossil fuel producers have responsibility for the climate catastrophe created by their consumption. It's time to put to bed the absurdity of a 'climate neutral', or even 'climate-negative', coal mine as the proposed Whitehaven coal mine pretends to be.
“...we will not grant new coal licences and will ban fracking for good.”
Manifesto in full
“Maintaining the ban on fracking and introducing a ban on new coal mines.”
“Cancel recent fossil fuel licences such as for Rosebank and stop all new fossil fuel extraction projects in the UK.”
“Ban new coal licences. Follow the SNP Scottish Government’s lead and commit to no support for new coal mines, which would undermine our action to reach net zero.”
“...are opposed to... new open cast coal mines. Opencast mine sites should be fully restored for the benefit of local communities, and should never be used as a guise for private companies to undertake further coal extraction.”
The Labour Party's manifesto pledge “we will not grant new coal licences and will ban fracking for good.” follows a year of inside-track and public campaigning by Coal Action Network in the UK parliament and Welsh Senedd.
The UK’s last coal-fired power station closes this year, and last year is confirmed the hottest year on record. We’re pleased that the Labour Party has listened to our arguments, along with the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru, and Scottish National Party which have also ruled out any new coal mining.
We'll work with whichever party forms the new Government on turning a policy ruling out new coal licences into a stronger statute. We hope the new Government will also address existing coal licences – for both operating mines, such as Aberpergwm (permission to mine until 2039), and proposed mines such as West Cumbria (permission to mine until 2049). The West Cumbria coal mine is an example of how coal mine licences can slip through the coal regulator, even when there is no domestic demand for the coal and it'll be exported to drive further climate chaos.
Coal is still the number one fossil fuel driver of climate change globally - we must lead my example, and a policy ruling out any more licences for coal mining is just that.
Published: 17. 06. 2024
Coal Action Network asked Who will stop coal? last weekend in Whitehaven, West Cumbria. At the site of the proposed coal mine, members of the local community and supporters gathered to ensure that the question of the mine is being put to election candidates. Now we need you to crank up the pressure and make sure all election candidates across the UK faces this question as they could decide the fate of the coal mine if elected and legal challenges to the mine are successful next month...
The next Government may have the opportunity to not only stop the West Cumbria mine, but legislate an end to coal mining in the UK forever. We will be working hard behind the scenes to make that happen - but, the more you can help us, the better. Join us in writing to your local candidates (automatically selected) - this could be the first step in them helping to end coal mining in the UK for good.
The legal challenges against the government’s approval of a new coal mine off the coast of Cumbria will be heard in London on the 16th to 18th July.
West Cumbria Mining Ltd’s application to extract 2.78 million tonnes of coking coal a year, right up to until 2049, was approved by the Conservative Government in December 2022. Two legal challenges to this decision have been awaiting a High Court hearing following the decision.
Help stop the coal mine by sharing or donating to SLACC's crowdfunder for their legal costs. Everything helps.
One of the 5 grounds against the approval of the mine relies on the outcome of case relating to the downstream emissions from a proposed oil well at Horse Hill Surrey. West Cumbria Mining Ltd intervened in the Horse Hill case, hoping for a ruling that would set a precedent that allows the coal mine to go ahead. The Supreme Court Hearing for the Horse Hill case took place in June 2023, but the decision has yet to be announced.
The courts had said that the legal challenges to the proposed coal mine needed to be heard after the Horse Hill decision was given. This condition has now been lifted and the hearing will take place in July, irrelevant of when the Horse Hill decision is made.
Following the July hearing, the High Court judges will decide whether the government’s approval of the proposed coal mine is lawful. If it decides the decision wasn’t lawful a new decision will be required from the government which could be the end of this disastrous project.
Demonstrations are being planned in support of the legal challenges on the first day of the hearing in outside the court in London and in Whitehaven, Cumbria during the hearing. Keep an eye out on our upcoming events page for details when available.
