The latest issue of Ecoal, the quarterly newsletter of the WCA is now available to download or view online.
The August issue leads with an article looking at the 2012 Rio+20 Earth Summit and how it must address energy poverty. Other articles in this issue include:
- Global Steel Production Continues to Grow – the WCA looks at the growth in steel production following the release of the latest World Steel in Figures statistics
- UN Climate Negotiations: Bonn – the WCA examines the outcome of the recent climate negotiations in Bonn
- Australian Carbon Pricing – Ralph Hillman, Executive Director of the Australian Coal Association addressed the National Press Club in Canberra in July 2011. This article is his view on Australian carbon pricing legislation
-Coal Profile: Poland – the WCA looks at Poland which consumes 77 million tonnes of coal per year, making it the 10th largest coal consumer in the world
-World Bank Energy Strategy – the World Bank is considering a new draft energy strategy and the WCA looks at what this strategy means for the future funding of energy projects
-EU Finances Coal – a look at European development bank financing for new coal projects
-Fact Focus 52 – Coal’s Share in Energy Consumption
Download the August issue of Ecoal
Milton Catelin, Chief Executive, WCA
In 2010 coal was again the fastest growing fuel, according to BP and the IEA. The IEA says that in 2010 global coal consumption went up by 10.8%. In comparison to this, global demand for gas and oil rose by 7.4% and 3.1%. Coal has been the fastest growing fuel for the past few years and today coal’s share in global energy consumption is at its highest since 1970 (29.6%).
Most of the new coal demand comes from the developing world and is used for electricity generation. China now accounts for over half of the world’s coal production and consumption. But coal consumption is also on the rise in the developed economies. In the EU, coal consumption went up by 4.8% last year and coal provides around 29% of electricity. Europe is also an important producer of brown coal and last year, almost half of the world’s brown coal production came from Europe. There has also been a spectacular rise in the demand for coking coal, which is a key ingredient for producing steel. Worldwide coking coal consumption increased by over 15% and in Europe by more than 25%.
The demand for coal continues to grow as the world needs more steel, cement and energy. Over the past ten years, when calls for phasing out coal and other fossil fuels were strongest, global coal demand rose by 61%. We must recognise that a growing demand for coal is now a reality. It is the backbone of electricity generation and a key resource for the steel, cement and aluminium industries. Responsible policy makers should not blindly ignore the world in which we live. If they are truly serious about climate change, governments should invest in innovative technologies which allow sustainable use of coal.
Colombian mining complex Cerrejón has developed a comprehensive land rehabilitation programme that is now being held up by environmental authorities in Latin America as a model of best practice. The result of over 20 years’ observation, innovation and research, Cerrejón’s award-winning programme has helped it rehabilitate over 2,800 hectares of land to date.
A priority for all coal mining companies should be to protect the local environment and community around their mines. The soil is key, as within it is held the local biodiversity of the land alongside natural resources such as water and air. Through careful planning and land management, before and after mining takes place, the industry can help ensure a sustainable and responsible future for mining.
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