Nothing does more damage to the climate and the environment than burning coal. Yet world leaders continue to build and expand their coal-fired power plants year after year after year...
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New research has shown that G20 per capita coal emissions are continuing to rise. According to a study published on 5 September by Ember, between 2015 and 2022, per capita G20 coal emissions rose by 9%. 

These coal-based emissions are increasing despite climate pledges and transition efforts from some members of the group of major economies. The group’s leaders will meet in New Delhi this weekend for its main annual summit. Collectively, the countries in the forum account for 80% of global power sector emissions.

During talks in July, the G20 failed to agree that global emissions should peak by 2025. Moreover, it fell short of jointly committing to massively ramp up renewable energy use.

Countries like the UK are no climate role models. While it has lowered coal-based emissions, the UK government has continued to double down on fossil fuel production. For instance, in December, the fossil-fuel-friendly government granted planning permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria. Plus, it has yet to rule out the environmentally-ruinous Rosebank project. Over its lifetime, oil field alone would produce the emissions equivalent of burning 56 coal-fired power plants for an entire year.

Other countries ditching coal haven’t been much better. Despite its commitment to phase out coal, Germany has instead ramped up its production and restored coal plants. The Environmental Justice Foundation found that in 2022, 8.4% more coal-generated energy was fed into the German grid than in 2021. Previous Ember research also demonstrated that Germany and Poland generate two-thirds of the EU’s coal emissions.

Meanwhile, other countries – including G20 host India, along with Indonesia and China – all increased their coal emissions.

Last year, rich nations pledged $20 billion to Indonesia to help it wean itself off coal. However, Ember found that its per capita emissions from the fuel jumped 56% from 2015. In early August, Indonesia’s capital city Jakarta experienced severe spikes in toxic air pollution.

Notably, air pollution levels in the megalopolis of about 30 million people have risen to some of the highest in the world in recent months. According to Swiss air monitor IQAir, the smog levels have topped global rankings multiple times since the beginning of August.

The Ember report also said that even some countries that achieved reductions in their coal emissions continue to emit far above the global average on a per capita basis. Ember’s Dave Jones said, "China and India are often blamed as the world’s big coal power polluters. But when you take population into account, South Korea and Australia were the worst polluters still in 2022."

For instance, Australia is currently the world’s second-largest exporter of thermal coal, after Indonesia. In addition, the country is the largest exporter of metallurgical coal, which is used in steel making.
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Plenty of bad actors everywhere, all around the world. No wonder the climate crisis is spiraling out of control.

FULL ARTICLE -- https://www.thecanary.co/global/2023/09/06/g20-coal-emissions-continue-to-rise-despite-climate-pledges/

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