The world gathered for the UN Climate Summit COP29 in Azerbaijan at a critical juncture. At COP28, countries agreed to contribute to ‘deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in line with 1.5 °C pathways’. At COP29, they had to lay out clear plans for achieving this goal.
To get on track for 1.5°C, countries need to use their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due in 2025 as an opportunity to significantly accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Ending the construction of new coal is the first step towards this goal. This is why, at this COP, 25 countries and the European Union, in cooperation with the PPCA launched a Call to Action for No New Coal, announcing their intention to put forward national climate plans that reflect no new unabated coal in their energy systems and calling on others to do the same.
To make ambitious commitments to accelerate the coal-to-clean transition that will underpin their new NDCs, developing countries need confidence that finance will be available to implement their plans. This is why, at this COP, the Coal Transition Commission, hosted by the PPCA, launched a new report setting out in detail how the world can significantly scale up finance to help emerging economies accelerate the transition away from coal to clean energy.
The PPCA hosted two events at the COP that brought together our members and partners in government, business, finance and civil society – to showcase new commitments, share experience and expertise and ensure the finance for a coal to clean transition continues to grow:
- 12th November, Delivering Coal-to-Clean Transitions: Progress in the First Year of the Coal Transition Accelerator. The Coal Transmission Commission launched its first report, laying out actionable recommendations to accelerate the coal-to-clean energy transition to keep 1.5°C alive.
- 15th November, COP29 Solutions Dialogue: The PPCA concluded our Solutions Dialogue series, highlighting technical and financial support available for emerging economies to phase out coal in line with 1.5°C.
The PPCA is committed to accelerating the transition from coal to clean energy as a way to build stronger, greener economies and more resilient communities. Through our work at COP29, we championed ambitious actions and fostered the international cooperation needed to power the world past coal. Read more about our work at COP29 below.
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Call to Action on No New Coal
On 20th November, recognizing that rapidly reducing emissions from coal is one of the most urgent priorities to get on track for a 1.5C pathway, and the first step towards addressing this challenge is end the construction of new coal, 25 countries and the European Union launched a Call to Action for No New Coal.
A full list of initiators of the Call to Action includes: Angola, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Uganda, UK, Uruguay, Vanuatu and the European Union.
These initial signatories announced their intention to put forward national climate plans that reflect no new unabated coal in their energy systems and called on others to do the same.
With the Call to Action, the endorsing countries launch a diplomatic campaign to encourage all countries to end new coal power in the lead up to the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in November 2025.
Read the Press Release and Call to Action below.
Progress in scaling up coal transition finance
On 12th November, the Coal Transition Commission (CTC), co-chaired by the governments of France and Indonesia and hosted by the PPCA, published a new report setting out in detail how the world can significantly scale up finance to help emerging economies accelerate the transition away from coal to clean energy.
On 15th November, Standard Chartered joined the PPCA, providing further evidence that a growing number of private financial institutions are willing to invest in retiring coal power plants early, to implement their net zero commitments.
Read the CTC report, the accompanying press release and the press release announcing new PPCA members below.
New PPCA members and initiatives
With 180 members, including almost one-third of the world’s governments, the PPCA is uniquely placed to convene key stakeholders all over the world to accelerate coal phase-out.
On 15th November, Uganda joined the Alliance, giving further impetus to the global efforts to phase out coal power plants. Uganda is powered nearly entirely by renewables. By joining the PPCA, the country commits to not build any new coal in the future and work together with its members to accelerate the global coal-to-clean energy transition.
On the same day, the PPCA launched the Decarbonisation Twinning Initiative in Southeast Asia, in partnership with the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP). With a focus in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, this twinning initiative aims to drive decarbonisation by transferring relevant knowledge between partnered regions.
Read more about the new Twinning Initiative and Uganda’s PPCA membership below.
