Coal’s portion of the power generation mix in the UK dropped to 2.5 per cent in 2019. Bloomberg
Coal’s portion of the power generation mix in the UK dropped to 2.5 per cent in 2019. Bloomberg
Coal’s portion of the power generation mix in the UK dropped to 2.5 per cent in 2019. Bloomberg
Coal’s portion of the power generation mix in the UK dropped to 2.5 per cent in 2019. Bloomberg

UK aims to end use of coal for power a year earlier


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain will bring forward its target to end the use of coal in electricity generation by a year to October 2024, the government said on Wednesday.

The UK is trying to convince other nations to cut emissions as it prepares to host an international climate conference in November.

Since Britain completed its exit from the EU last year, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to build its influence on the world stage by getting countries back on track to meet global targets for the UN Climate Change Conference, or Cop26, in Glasgow.

Cutting the use of coal to generate electricity is a major step to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial times, which scientists say would avoid the most devastating effects of climate change.

But the government's credentials have come under scrutiny by green groups, with several asking how the proposed development of a new coal mine in northern England and an oil project in Scotland fit with in with stated aims.

After announcing in February the intention to bring forward the deadline to phase out coal from energy production, Energy and Clean Growth Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said the government would introduce legislation "at the earliest opportunity".

"Today we're sending a clear signal around the world that the UK is leading the way in consigning coal power to the history books, and that we're serious about decarbonising our power system so we can meet our ambitious, world-leading climate targets," Ms Trevelyan said.

"The UK's net-zero future will be powered by renewables, and it is this technology that will drive the green industrial revolution and create new jobs across the country."

Britain, home to the world's first coal-fuelled power plant in the 1880s, was largely reliant on coal for electricity for the next century.

To help meet its climate targets, the UK reduced its use of coal for power to less than 2 per cent of the electricity mix in 2020, compared with about 25 per cent five years ago.

London's Cop26 team, led by politician Alok Sharma, also hopes to convince more countries to stop the international financing of coal projects by the end of this year.

Later on Wednesday, Ms Trevelyan will address the Powering Past Coal Alliance Europe Roundtable on the importance of countries phasing out coal financing, as part of London Climate Action Week.

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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world

New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.

The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.

Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.

“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.

"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."

Full list of Emmy 2020 nominations

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Volunteers offer workers a lifeline

Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.

When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.

Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.

Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.

“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.

Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.

“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.

MATCH INFO

Fulham 0

Aston Villa 3 (Grealish 4', Hourihane 15', Mings 48')

Man of the match: Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

'Moonshot'

Director: Chris Winterbauer

Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse 

Rating: 3/5

Updated: June 30, 2021, 12:31 AM`