COP26: Over 40 nations vow to phase out coal-fired power; US & China haven't signed up

Over 40 nations have pledged to shift away from coal in commitments me at United Nations climate change conference or COP26 summit. Significant users of coal in world including nations such as Poland, Vietnam and Chile are ones that me commitment but some of world’s biggest coal-dependent countries including China and United States chose not to sign up, as per BBC. 

In a separate commitment at least 20 nations including US pledged to end public financing for “unabated” fossil fuel projects abro by end of 2022. Such projects burn fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, but do not use technology to capture Carbon Dioxide emissions. It is also pertinent to note that coal is lone biggest contributor to climate change. 

coal pledge, in which more than 40 nations signed up, implies that that countries have vowed to end all investment in new coal power generation domestically and internationally. y have also agreed to phase out coal power in 2030s for major economies and 2040s for poorer nations, UK has said. Reportedly, dozens of organizations have also signed up to pledge with several banks agreeing to stop financing coal industry. UK business and energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, as per British news organisation has said, “ end of coal is in sight.”

Kwarteng reportedly ded, " world is moving in right direction, standing rey to seal coal's fate and embrace environmental and economic benefits of building a future that is powered by clean energy," as quoted by British news outlet. 

UK show business secretary notes ‘glaring gaps’

However, UK show business secretary Ed Miliband said that re were “glaring gaps” from China as well as or nations who are large emitters of greenhouse gases but have not committed to stopping increasing coal use domestically. Miliband noted that re was nothing on phasing out of oil and gas. He said that British government “has let ors off hook.” Even though progress has been me in global usage of coal, world produced around 37 per cent of electricity in 2019. Nations such as South Africa, Poland among ors would need major investments for cleaner energy sectors. 

Juan Pablo Osornio, he of Greenpeace's delegation at COP26, as per British news outlet's report, said, “Overall this statement still falls well short of ambition needed on fossil fuels in this critical dece... small print seemingly gives countries enormous leeway to pick ir own phase-out date, despite shiny heline.”

(Image: PTI/AP)