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Coal facts, figures, and information

The UK coal flow from origin to destination

These are the most recent official energy statistics for coal from the UK Government, for 2023 (compare to 2022 and 2021). In the past 10 years, UK coal production has fallen by 96%, down 22% from 2022. Net imports have also fallen 94% from the peak in 2013 (and a 54% reduction in 2023 compared to 2022). This is driven by declining demand for coal, which fell by a further 26% in 2023 compared to 2022 (demand fell 14% in 2022 compared to 2021). In 2022, imports accounted for 85% of UK's coal (63% in 2021). What alternatives exist to coal in the UK? See our illustrated solutions.

Coal mining

The Global Energy Monitor estimates 7.2 billion tonnes of coal are mined each year, from 3,670 recorded coal mines across 70 countries. Coal mining worldwide emits around 52 million tonnes of methane per year (equivalent to 4,320 million tonnes of CO2*), more than oil (39 million tonnes) or gas (45 million tonnes)....

Burning coal emits more CO2 than any other fuel source for the amount of energy it produces. Burning coal also pollutes our air with many other hazardous gasses, including nitrogen oxide, mercury, and sulphur dioxide – with global and local consequences for climate change...

COAL NEWS

Johnson’s first comment on proposed Cumbrian coal mine

On the first day of the Conference of Parties Climate summit (COP26) in Glasgow Boris Johnson for the first time has said that he is not in favour of a new coal mine in the UK. Tommy Greene explains what happened in an article on Left Foot Forward.

Final day of public inquiry into proposed Cumbrian coking coal mine

Today (1st October) is the last day of the public inquiry into the proposed West Cumbria coal mine. The inspector will privately deliberate the evidence presented, write up a report and make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, who is now Michael Gove.

Coal in 2021

Opencast coal extraction causes extensive damage to local environments by opening up the land like a quarry, destroying habitats and polluting the air and water. Imported coal, from Russia, Venezuela, Colombia, the USA and Australia…

New Coal Action Network report ~ Coal in Steel: Problems and solutions

New report from Coal Action Network. Coal in Steel provides background information to campaigns against proposed new coking coal mines and considering how coal needs to be phased out of steel production.

Creative opposition to proposed Cumbrian coking coal mine on first day of public inquiry

From West Cumbria to London, opposition to the controversial proposal for an underground coking
coal mine, sited near Whitehaven, is widespread and growing. On 7th September, the day the
public inquiry investigating the proposal by West Cumbria Mining Ltd started, members of the public gather in two locations to demand a greener future, in which a new coal mine has no place.

West Cumbria Mining Ltd and EMR Capital – we reveal all.

Coal Action Network has commissioned research revealing massive debts of over £29million, Cayman Islands tax havens, corporate structures that undermine responsibility, and taxes that may not get paid.

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