The immediate end of coal is key to achieving net-zero

The We Mean Business coalition asserts that ending coal dependence is critical for limiting global warming and achieving 2030 and 2050 climate targets. It advocates for a full phase-out of coal power in advanced economies by 2030 and globally by 2040, noting that renewables now outcompete new coal virtually everywhere. The text highlights a shift in the private sector, with major insurers and mining companies divesting from coal, and emphasizes that a transition to clean power would improve public health and create more jobs than traditional economic stimulus measures.

• To achieve 100% zero-carbon power systems by 2050, coal power must be fully phased out in advanced economies by 2030 and globally by 2040.
• Renewable energy has reached an economic tipping point, with investment in renewables exceeding 50% of global electricity generation investment in 2019 and 2020, and returns increasing 426% since 2010.
• The health impact of fossil fuels is severe, causing more than 8 million premature deaths every year, which is double previous estimates of mortality from fine-particle pollution.
• Private sector entities are increasingly divesting from coal; for example, AIA intends to exit all coal investments by 2028, and Glencore Plc plans to run down its seaborne thermal coal assets by 2050.
• Economic stimulus focused on renewables, energy efficiency, and grid upgrades is projected to generate more growth and employment than traditional measures such as sales tax reductions.

APA

Mendiluce, M. (2021). The immediate end of coal is key to achieving net-zero. We Mean Business Coalition. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/iea-end-coal-climate-success-global-governments/

Chicago

Mendiluce, María. The immediate end of coal is key to achieving net-zero. We Mean Business Coalition, 2021. https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/iea-end-coal-climate-success-global-governments/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |last1=Mendiluce |first1=María |title=The immediate end of coal is key to achieving net-zero |publisher=We Mean Business Coalition |date=23 March 2021 |url=https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/iea-end-coal-climate-success-global-governments/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{mendiluce2021immediate, author = {Mendiluce, María}, title = {{The immediate end of coal is key to achieving net-zero}}, publisher = {We Mean Business Coalition}, year = {2021}, month = mar, url = {https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/iea-end-coal-climate-success-global-governments/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }