Licensing will be restricted after new legislation will be brought in, following a recent court ruling against the controversial plans for a new mine in Cumbria
New coal mines will be banned in the UK the government has announced.
Licensing will be restricted after new legislation will be brought in making Britain one of a handful of countries to do so. The decision follows a court ruling against the controversial plans for a new mine in Cumbria. Coal power remains the largest source of energy-related CO2 emissions globally.
Phasing it out is a crucial step to tackling climate change and limiting global temperature rises to 1.5C, while providing important health benefits through improved air quality. Britain became the first major economy to stop burning coal for power in October, with the closure of the country’s last coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe on Soar, following 50 years of service. It means coal has gone from generating around 40% of the UK’s electricity supply in 2012 to 0%.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “Coal mining powered this country for over 140 years and we owe a huge debt to workers who kept the lights on for homes and businesses across the country. Now the UK is in prime position to lead the way in phasing out coal power around the world, which remains the single largest contributor to global emissions. By consigning coal power to the past, we can pave the way for a clean, secure energy system that will protect billpayers and create a new generation of skilled workers.”
Commenting on the news Jess Ralston, Head of Energy at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) added: “We’ve proven that you can phase out coal from the power system without any interruption to supply, with our one remaining plant closing its doors for the last time in September.
“The courts have also ruled against opening a new mine repeatedly, in light of all the evidence of the fossil fuel’s negative impacts. Instead of being stuck in the past, we’ve chosen to invest in kickstarting the industries of the future, like offshore wind, which is where economic growth lies. This is the example that the rest of the world can follow, showing that what the UK does matters internationally.”