Platform for Accelerating Coal Efficiency
A global plan to cut two gigatonnes of CO2 emissions.

A global plan to cut two gigatonnes of CO2 emissions.
The World Coal Association released a concept paper in December 2014 on establishing a global Platform for Accelerating Coal Efficiency (PACE).
The vision of PACE would be that for countries choosing to use coal, the most efficient power plant technology possible is deployed. The overriding objective would be to raise the global average efficiency of coal-fired power plants and so minimise CO2 emissions which will otherwise be emitted while maintaining legitimate economic development and poverty alleviation efforts.
The average efficiency of coal-fired power plants around the world today is 33% . This is well below the state-of-the-art rate of 45% and even ‘off-the-shelf’ of around 40%. Increasing the efficiency of coal-fired power plants by 1% reduces CO2 emissions by between 2-3%. Moving the current average global efficiency rate of coal-fired power plants from 33% to 40%, using more advanced off-the-shelf technology, could cut two gigatonnes of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to:
In addition to significant benefits from reduced CO2 emissions, these modern high efficiency plants have significantly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM). Beyond the climate benefits of reduced CO2 emissions, reduction in these pollutants is of additional importance at the local and regional level to address air quality and related health concerns.
The WCA has released the concept paper for stakeholder input and engagement. If you would like to provide feedback or discuss PACE in more details, please email:
[email protected]