November 21, 2024 - Twenty-five countries and the EU committed to building no new coal-fired power plants and called on other global nations to follow suit under a Nov. 20 pledge announced at the UN Climate Change Conference iin Baku, Azerbaijan.

The signatories — which include the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands — promised to update their national climate plans to reflect that no new unabated coal plants will be built in their respective markets.

According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, there is no space for new unabated coal in a 1.5 degrees C or even 2 degrees C aligned planet-warming pathway. Yet, coal capacity rose 2% in 2023, the signatories said.

In what the group described as a call to action, signatories argued for strengthened domestic climate policies elsewhere in the world.

In some parts of Europe, coal has been phased out or plays a minimal role. In several major markets, including Germany and Poland, it remains an important part of the power mix. Poland is not listed among the signatories but is part of the EU.

Colombia — another signatory — is still developing new coal-fired plants. Minister of Mines and Energy Omar Andrés Camacho Morales said the sector is an important candidate for "just transition" efforts to prevent socioeconomic impacts.

A transition to clean energy can also drive industrial growth, investment and job creation, the minister noted.

The UK phased out the use of coal this year by closing its final power plant.

"But the use of coal is still growing around the world and poses one of the biggest threats to keeping 1.5 degrees C within reach," UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said in a statement.

Miliband added that the call to action sends a "clear signal" that new coal needs to end by COP30, which is set to take place in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025.

"The commitment to 'transition away from fossil fuels' needs to turn into real steps on the ground," Wopke Hoekstra, EU commissioner for climate action, said in a statement. "A large majority of countries have already turned their backs on coal power, opting for affordable, reliable, clean energy instead, but globally coal power is still growing. This ought to change."

Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, energy minister in Uganda, which is also a signatory, said, "Despite bearing no responsibility for the climate crisis, we are facing the brunt of extremes it has created like dangerous flooding. At the same time, we have vast potential in renewables."

A commitment to no new coal globally by COP30 would be an uphill struggle. China and India have added to their coal fleets this year, with more plants in the development pipeline.