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Paris pledges highlight need for high-efficiency low-emission coal power

The emissions pledges by a range of countries in the lead-up to the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris highlight the need for more investment in low-emission coal technology, according to Benjamin Sporton, CEO of the World Coal Association (WCA).

“Clearly many countries are making ambitious commitments in the lead up to Paris,” said Sporton. “But without significant investment in low-emissions coal technologies those commitments are going to be very difficult to achieve.”

Pointing out the International Energy Agency expects coal-fired power generation to grow by 33% to 2040, Sporton said that countries’ Intended Nationally Determined Contributions should include calls for support for low-emissions coal technologies.

“The Paris outcome should support a mechanism to make sure those countries who are going to use coal are supported to use it in the cleanest way possible. This includes through the Green Climate Fund and equal treatment for carbon capture and storage alongside other low-emission technologies.”

The WCA has recently launched its Platform to Accelerate Coal Efficiency (PACE), a roadmap to help developing and emerging economies move away from inefficient subcritical coal-fired power towards modern high-efficiency low-emission technology.

source: http://www.worldcoal.com