What’s going on with coal in China? Already the world’s largest consumer of the stuff, China has been expected to continue on an upward trajectory in coal use. But last year the trend line turned down – and it appears to be continuing in that direction. The figures suggest the decline in China’s coal use… Keep reading →
Many of China’s coal-fired power plants are equipped with air pollution scrubbers, but in some parts of the country they are seldom used. Scrubbers take energy to run which reduces total output and makes operating the equipment more expensive. The government often sends plant operators mixed messages that prioritize economic growth (which requires maximum power… Keep reading →
With US natural gas production growth and subsequent natural gas price declines coal has been backed out of the power generation fuel mix to some extent. As a result, US coal producers are exporting greater volumes to European and Asian buyers, which is a trend that alarms many in the environmental community who fear negative… Keep reading →
The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (known as the BRICS) recently met to launch a newly-created international fund called the New Development Bank (NDB). The BRICS represent roughly a fifth of the world economy and 40 percent of the global population. The NDB will have an initial capital pool of $50… Keep reading →
The good news – from a climate change perspective – is China appears to be taking steps to reduce its coal consumption, but the bad news is it’s much easier said than done. Industrialized nations have been slow to enact binding climate change mitigation strategies due to apprehension that carbon emissions from large developing nations… Keep reading →
The New York Times’ Coral Davenport tally’s the emissions numbers on Keystone XL which show the oil infrastructure project would likely have a limited impact on climate change. The anti-Keystone movement largely acknowledges this, but says the fact that presidential approval is required makes it a potent climate change symbol that indicates the United States’… Keep reading →
It’s common knowledge that the air in China is bad. After all, the country uses 50% of the world’s coal. But just how bad the air is – is it unhealthy or lightly polluted? – is more than just semantics. It’s been the source of debate and controversy between the US and Chinese governments. In… Keep reading →
Coal consumption has been increasing in past months as natural gas prices pushed upwards and coal stocks dipped lower. With natural gas the peak-load fuel of choice for many utilities, base load summer cooling could be powered by lots of comparatively cheaper coal – with gas peaker plants firing up when demand surges and thus… Keep reading →
Here’s a Chinese riddle: how does GDP growth slow, growth in oil consumption stutter to its lowest levels in a decade, pollution skyrocket and growth in electricity consumption pick up? Below, we break down two essential themes on the relationship between China’s electricity consumption, pollution and GDP growth. Electricity is Often Used as a Gauge… Keep reading →
Editorial: Australian-Japanese Coal ‘Partnership’ and Why Global Coal is Here to Stay
By Roman KilisekRecently, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned at the opening of the Caval Ridge coal mine in Queensland against the “demonization of coal.” According to the Sydney Morning Herald, PM Abbott stressed that “coal is good for humanity, coal is good for prosperity, coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in… Keep reading →