Canada Funds Coal Transition Programme

Canada on December 13 pledged cash and technical support for the World Bank’s programme to help developing countries in Asia transition away from coal production and consumption. Ottawa pledged up to C$275mn (US$206mn) to fund the Energy Transition and Coal Phase-Out Programme. The UK also pledged £20mn (US$25mn).

The World Bank’s programme also aims to scale up energy efficiency and low-carbon energy alternatives. It said it will be able to expand this work, thanks to the pledges. It also announced the launch of a new report  ‘Managing Coal Mine Closure: Achieving a Just Transition for All’ at the COP24 climate change summit in Katowice in Poland which calls on governments to prepare well for any mine closures well in advance in order to mitigate job losses.

Canada’s environment minister Catherine McKenna said: "Countries need to phase out coal if we are to meet our Paris Agreement targets. Pollution from coal has major repercussions on climate change, on our health, and on people." She said the phase-out had to be done in a way that supported coal workers: "By working together, we can cut emissions and make sure people have good job opportunities in the future clean economy." (Photo of McKenna is courtesy of Twitter/Coal Free Day)

Canada and the UK a year ago launched the alliance 'Powering Past Coal' that as of Dec.13 had 75 members which are states, regions, cities, businesses and international institutions. Other governments to have joined include Netherlands, Italy and Mexico. But none of the world's ten largest coal producer and consumer nations, headed by China, India and US, have joined.