World Coal Association calls for greater investment in cleaner coal technologies

Technologies such as high efficiency, low emissions (HELE) coal plants and carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), can make a significant contribution to reducing global CO2 emissions as part of the energy mix.

Benjamin Sporton, WCA’s Acting Chief Executive, stated: “The WCA recognises the vital role that all low emission technologies can play and has created a global Platform for Accelerating Coal Efficiency  (PACE) to promote adoption of these technologies. PACE’s vision is for the most efficient power plant technology possible to be deployed when coal plants are built. PACE’s objective is to raise the global average efficiency of coal-fired power plants and so minimise CO2 emissions, whilst maintaining legitimate economic development and poverty alleviation efforts.”

Increasing the average efficiency of the global coal fleet from the current level of 33% to 40% can be done with off-the-shelf technology that is currently available. This would make a significant contribution to global efforts, saving around 2 gigatonnes of CO2 annually – roughly equivalent to India’s total annual emissions. Furthermore, CCUS technology is also a reality, as evidenced by the Boundary Dam coal-fired power station in Canada. . This pioneering project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by one million tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent to taking more than 250,000 cars off the road each year.

Benjamin Sporton, stated: “Calls for divestment ignore the global role played by coal and the potential offered by HELE and CCUS technologies. It is essential that responsible investors actively engage with the coal industry. All low emission technologies are needed to meet climate targets. We cannot meet our energy needs, tackle energy poverty and reduce global emissions without utilising all options available to us, including low emissions coal.”

Notes
• The International Energy Agency has estimated that CCUS could deliver 14% of cumulative GHG emissions cuts through to 2050 and that climate change action will cost an additional US$4.7 trillion without CCUS.

• In comparison to other low carbon technologies, CCUS is underfunded. The Global Subsidies Initiative has reported that nuclear and renewable energy projects (excluding hydroelectricity) receive US$45 billion and US$27 billion in public funds respectively every year. In comparison, in the decade since 2005, only US$12.2 billion has been available to fund CCUS demonstration, in total.

• The WCA’s concept paper on the global Platform for Accelerating Coal Efficiency can be downloaded here: PACE

About the World Coal Association

The World Coal Association is a global industry association formed of major international coal producers and stakeholders. The WCA works to demonstrate and gain acceptance for the fundamental role coal plays in achieving a sustainable and lower emissions energy future. Membership is open to companies and not-for-profit organisations with a stake in the future of coal from anywhere in the world, with member companies represented at Chief Executive or Chairman level. WCA is the global network for the coal industry.

For further information, please contact:
Katie Warrick, Director – Communications
[email protected]
t: +44 (0) 20 7851 0052