Some positive news to emerge from COP29 this week: In a bold step towards combating climate change, 25 nations and the European Union have launched a Call to Action for “No New Coal” in their electricity systems, signalling a significant shift in global energy policy.
Announced yesterday (20 November) at the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the ‘Call to Action for No New Coal’ initiative aims to solidify commitments to halt the development of new unabated coal power plants and embed this pledge within national climate strategies.
Coal power remains a key contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and its continued expansion directly threatens the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world has no room for new unabated coal in pathways aligned with either a 1.5°C or 2°C temperature rise. Yet, despite these warnings, global coal capacity grew by 2 per cent last year.
“The use of coal is still growing around the world and poses one of the biggest threats to keeping 1.5°C within reach,” said Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Secretary. By putting forward national climate plans that reflect no new unabated coal, we move closer to a future powered by affordable, secure, clean energy.”
The global coalition for change
The initiative brings together a diverse coalition of countries from across continents, including developed and developing economies. Nations such as Australia, Canada, Ethiopia, France, and Uganda, alongside the EU, have signed on to demonstrate their commitment to phasing out new coal infrastructure. Many of these nations are already members of the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), which has been instrumental in championing the phase-out of unabated coal power globally.
This coalition recognises the importance of a just and equitable transition, ensuring workers and communities are supported as economies shift away from coal. The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) guidelines for a just transition will underpin these efforts, focusing on social dialogue and stakeholder engagement to safeguard vulnerable populations.
Beyond commitments: Turning words into action
A significant aspect of the Call to Action is its emphasis on implementation. Countries are urged to reflect their commitments in tangible plans, including their updated NDCs and long-term energy strategies. This focus on concrete actions comes at a pivotal moment, as the world prepares for the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in 2025.
Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate Action, stressed the need for progress:
“The commitment to ‘transition away from fossil fuels’ needs to turn into real steps on the ground. New coal power is one of the biggest threats to keeping 1.5°C within reach. The EU is pleased to support, throughout the next year leading to COP30, a diverse coalition of countries fully committed to anchor an end of new coal power in their upcoming NDCs.”
To bolster this momentum, the Call to Action is also supported by influential investor and business organisations, including RE100, the Global Renewables Alliance, and Ceres. These groups underscore that clear commitments to no new coal are essential for providing investors with the confidence to finance clean energy transitions.
A diplomatic campaign for the future
The release of this Call to Action marks the start of a global diplomatic effort to build consensus and encourage broader participation ahead of COP30. The endorsing nations aim to inspire others to adopt similar commitments, accelerating the shift away from coal and towards renewable energy.
While the challenges are immense, the initiative offers hope. By uniting governments, businesses, and investors around a shared vision of a coal-free future, the Call to Action serves as a beacon for the global effort to combat climate change.
The road ahead: A clean energy future
With rising fuel costs and an increasingly fraught climate situation there has never been a more urgent need to maximise cleaner alternatives.
Our new programme, Power Shift: The Renewable Energy Revolution, which launched on the opening day of COP29, details our collective pivot away from fossil fuel reliance towards widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions. The programme features businesses and organisations that are working at the heart of renewables, driving positive action towards our net zero goals.
Explore insightful thought leadership interviews from The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, the British Hydropower Association, and the Energy Networks Association and more here.
