LONDON, Aug 6 (Reuters) – The war in Ukraine has triggered a scramble for alternative energy sources to replace Russian gas, leading to a revival in demand for coal that is undermining efforts to fight climate change. Coal-fired power generation in the European Union jumped by 13% in the first half of 2023, according to climate think-tank Ember, as countries rushed to fill gas storage ahead of winter and reduce their reliance on Russian imports. Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, has reactivated coal-fired power stations and extended the lifespan of others, while Italy has delayed the closure of coal plants and the Netherlands has said it may have to extend the use of a coal-fired power station. Coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, has been in decline for years as countries have sought to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and switch to cleaner sources of energy. But the war in Ukraine has exposed Europe’s reliance on Russian gas and highlighted the need for a more diverse energy mix. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a report last week that the global coal market is expected to remain tight for the next two years, with prices remaining high. The IEA also warned that the world is on track to burn more coal this year than last year, and that the increase in coal use is offsetting progress in reducing emissions from other sectors. The surge in coal use is a blow to efforts to tackle climate change. The world needs to rapidly reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the level scientists say is necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. But the war in Ukraine has shown that the world is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and that the transition to a clean energy future will be a long and difficult process. The war in Ukraine has also led to a spike in oil and gas prices, which has made coal a more attractive option for some countries. Coal is also relatively easy to store and transport, which makes it a more reliable source of energy than renewables such as solar and wind power. The revival of coal is a reminder that the world is still facing a major challenge in transitioning to a clean energy future. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the need for a more diverse energy mix, but it has also shown that the world is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The transition to a clean energy future will be a long and difficult process, but it is essential if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change..
New lifeline for coal as Ukraine war pushes world back towards fossil fuels
