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183 results
The path of least resistance
This report by Sandbag analyzes how the disparity in carbon pricing between the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and its non-EU neighbors leads to 'carbon leakage,' where high-carbon electricity, primarily from coal, is imported into the EU. The authors argue that this undermines EU climate goals and incentivizes the continued use of coal in neighboring states. To combat this, the report proposes the implementation of a border carbon adjustment (BCA) specifically for electricity imports.
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Document type: Report
G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding
This fact sheet by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates Germany's fossil fuel funding, ranking it first among G20 OECD member countries with an overall score of 71/100. The document details government support across various fossil fuel sectors, highlights progress in reducing coal subsidies, and identifies remaining areas of high support, particularly in transport and industry.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Climate Action Tracker Global Update: Governments still showing little sign of stepping up
A briefing by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) providing a global temperature update as of December 2019, highlighting a significant gap between current government pledges and the Paris Agreement goals, while detailing trends in coal, natural gas, and renewable energy.
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Document type: Briefing
Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019)
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) is a strategic electricity infrastructure development plan for South Africa, designed to balance least-cost electricity supply and demand while considering security of supply and environmental impacts. The document updates the previous IRP 2010–2030 to reflect lower-than-expected GDP growth, declining electricity demand, and the deteriorating performance of Eskom's existing power plants.
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Document type: Report
OBJECTIONS TO THE 22 MAY 2019 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LIST OF ACTIVITIES AND ASSOCIATED MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS IDENTIFIED IN TERMS OF SECTION 21 OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: AIR QUALITY ACT 39 OF 2004
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal campaign and several environmental justice alliances, formally objects to a proposed amendment by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to double the Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Minimum Emission Standard (MES) for new plants in sub-category 1.1 from 500 mg/Nm3 to 1000 mg/Nm3. The CER argues that this weakening of standards is unlawful, violates the South African Constitution's right to a healthy environment, and would lead to significant premature deaths and exacerbated air pollution in priority areas.
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Document type: Statement
The cash cow has stopped giving: Are Germany’s lignite plants now worthless?
This report by Ember (published by Sandbag) analyzes the collapse of lignite profitability in Germany during 2019. It argues that German lignite plants, particularly those built before 1990, have become loss-making due to rising carbon prices and falling power prices, suggesting that the German government should push for early closures with minimal compensation.
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Document type: Report
Europe’s great coal collapse of 2019
This report by Sandbag analyzes the significant decline in coal-fired electricity generation across the European Union during the first half of 2019, attributing the collapse to the rise of renewables, carbon pricing driving a switch to natural gas, and plant closures.
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Document type: Report
INTRODUCTION OF THE LIFE AFTER COAL CAMPAIGN AND ENERGY ISSUES FOR PRIORITISATION
A letter from the Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, to the South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, urging the prioritisation of a coal phase-out and a just transition to sustainable energy systems.
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Document type: Statement
Just transition or just talk?
This report by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and Sandbag analyzes the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of 21 EU Member States that use coal for electricity. It finds that the EU is on track to miss the goal of stopping coal use by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with 60 GW of capacity projected to remain in 2030.
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Document type: Report
LIFE AFTER COAL FACT SHEET AND TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE MYTH OF “CLEAN COAL”
The Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, submitted a letter and technical report to the South African Minister of Environmental Affairs arguing that "clean coal" is a myth and a misnomer. The document asserts that coal-fired power generation is unsustainable due to environmental, health, and climate impacts, and advocates for a just transition to renewable energy sources like wind and solar to meet global climate targets.
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Document type: Statement
treatment-of-electricity-in-the-obps-march-6-2019-3831d4c78a6f8744.pdf
A statement from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and other organizations urging the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to revise the treatment of electricity generation within the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS) to better incentivize the transition to renewable energy and the phase-out of coal.
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Document type: Statement
LIFE AFTER COAL RESPONSE TO RECENT STATEMENTS AROUND “CLEAN COAL”
The Centre for Environmental Rights, on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, wrote to South Africa's Minister of Energy to object to the use of the term "clean coal" in government statements. The letter argues that "clean coal" is a myth and that the only sustainable path is a phase-out of coal in favor of renewable energy to meet climate targets and ensure a just transition.
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Document type: Statement
THE COAL COST CROSSOVER: ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF EXISTING COAL COMPARED TO NEW LOCAL WIND AND SOLAR RESOURCES
This report analyzes the economic viability of existing U.S. coal-fired power plants compared to new local wind and solar resources. It finds that a significant portion of the U.S. coal fleet is now more expensive to operate than it would be to replace with new renewable energy located within 35 miles of the plants.
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Document type: Report
The end of coal? Planning a just transition in South Africa
This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Energy Research Centre examines the potential significant decline of coal production in South Africa over the next five to ten years and the requirements for ensuring a "just transition."
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Document type: Report
SUBMISSIONS ON ESKOM’S APPLICATION FOR SUSPENSION, ALTERNATIVE LIMITS AND/OR POSTPONEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS FOR 10 OF ITS COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS
The Life After Coal campaign, led by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), formally objects to Eskom's application for the suspension, postponement, or alternative limits of Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for 10 coal-fired power stations. The submission argues that Eskom fails to meet the legal prerequisites of the 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management, specifically regarding National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) compliance and the prevention of direct adverse health impacts.
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Document type: Statement
OPPOSITION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC AND TECHNICAL GUIDANCE TOWARDS MANAGEMENT OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE EMISSIONS FROM EXISTING PLANTS
The Life After Coal/Impilo Ngaphandle Kwamalahle Campaign, represented by the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork, and Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, formally opposes the Department of Environmental Affairs' (DEA) plan to establish an expert panel to provide guidance on managing sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from existing power plants. The campaign argues that such a panel is unnecessary, would delay compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES), and lacks a legislative basis for potentially weakening those standards.
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Document type: Statement
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN RESPECT OF THE DRAFT INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN FOR ELECTRICITY 2018
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing several environmental and community organisations, sent a letter to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on 19 November 2018. The letter demands that NERSA conduct a formal public participation process regarding the draft Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2018 (draft IRP 2018), arguing that NERSA is legally required to do so before concurring with the Minister of Energy.
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Document type: Statement
Integrated Resource Plan 2018 – groundWork comment
This document is a formal comment by groundWork submitted to the South African Department of Energy regarding the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018. The author argues that the IRP 2018 fails to address the urgency of the climate crisis, underestimates the health and environmental costs of coal, and maintains an outdated energy model that prioritizes coal and gas over a rapid transition to renewables.
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Document type: Statement
SUBMISSIONS ON THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT (BID) FOR ESKOM’S APPLICATION FOR POSTPONEMENT OF THE MINIMUM EMISSION STANDARDS (MES) FOR 14 OF ITS COAL AND LIQUID FUEL-FIRED POWER STATIONS
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting as part of the Life After Coal campaign, submitted a formal objection to Eskom's application to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES) for 14 power stations. The submission argues that such postponements are legally impermissible because the power stations are located in priority areas where national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) are not being met. The CER contends that the Background Information Document (BID) provided by Eskom is incomplete and misleading, and that the continued emissions cause severe health impacts and premature deaths in surrounding communities.
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Document type: Statement
Just Transition for Workers and Communities Displaced by Climate Action
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) submitted a statement to the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities advocating for the accelerated phase-out of coal-fired power plants. CAPE argues that while closing these plants provides critical climate and public health benefits, it must be accompanied by a just transition plan to protect the social determinants of health for displaced workers and communities.
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Document type: Statement