25 countries say goodbye to coal-fired power plants, an energy revolution in progress?

At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, twenty-five mainly industrialized countries made a major decision for the global energy future: to stop all construction of new coal-fired power plants. This decision comes against a backdrop where fossil fuels still dominate global energy, despite calls for a green transition. Coal, the main cause of global CO2 emissions, is in the hot seat. For these countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom and even Australia, this commitment marks a symbolic turning point, although nuances remain.

The main points of the agreement

The signatory states have agreed on several fundamental principles:

No new coal-fired power plants : These facilities will no longer be included in their future climate plans unless they incorporate advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
Maintaining extraction and export : This commitment does not directly concern the production or marketing of coal, highlighting a pragmatic approach to economic realities.

This agreement, although welcomed, remains voluntary and relies largely on the self-discipline of the signatory states. Energy powers like China, the United States and India, major consumers of coal, have not joined the initiative, limiting its overall impact.

Analysis: a necessary but complex energy transition

Despite the gradual closure of coal-fired power plants in many countries, global energy demand remains high. In 2023, coal consumption will further increase in parts of Asia and Africa to meet growing electricity needs. According to experts, this trend will have to be reversed to meet the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Australia, the world's largest coal exporter, has marked a notable change in its energy policy.

The coming to power of a Labor government led to a review of priorities, with a stated objective of diversifying energy sources. This commitment, however, does not apply to its exports, which remain vital to its economy. Among the signatories, we also find emerging countries such as Angola, Uganda and Ethiopia, which joined the initiative through the international alliance “Powering Past Coal”. These states, often seeking funding for their development, hope to benefit from substantial financial support from rich countries. However, the promises of 440 to 900 billion euros annually to support this energy transition are slow to materialize.