We must consume less coal in the world to save the planet. But the path traced by Cop28 has a first retaliation in the latest report from the IEA, the International Energy Agency. The Coal Report 2023 two days ago reports an increase in global coal demand of 1,4%.
India and China remain the countries that consume the most. China also continues to build new power plants, according to a program that is not questioned by anyone. This is to say that the leaders of the two countries are not attracted, in the medium term, to non-polluting sources. They will continue on their way despite the consensus on the summit documents.
For the Agency only in 2026 will coal demand fall, but by less than 3%. In the meantime the two economies will have enjoyed a strong propellant that measures business but not environmental damage.
A bad obstacle course
In short, India and China confirm that they are responsible for a third of the planet's pollution. It seems like an obstacle course between the two countries, with the India that has contributed this year to the world record consumption of 8 billion tons of coal. The large Asian cities live perpetually under a blanket of smog, but the related pathologies and climatic effects seem to distress only a minority of people.
Both countries recognize the importance of "taking the plunge" towards renewables, but with one timing progressive that gives reason to those who see the fight against climate change as less stringent than what is thought.
Another IEA data that confirms the status quo of the use of coal to advantage - in this case by Chinese leaders - is that 60% of all the country's electricity is generated by coal.
For media around the world the report was commented on by Keisuke Sadamori, responsible for energy markets at the IEA. “ The pace at which renewables expand across major Asian economies will determine what will happen later, and much greater efforts are needed to achieve international climate goals". We will only talk about everything after 2026.
