July 4, 2019

Panellists discussed the UK’s recent experience moving from a coal-dominated power system to its first #CoalFreeFortnight in June 2019 and towards a completely coal-free power system by 2025. They also explored the opportunities for the UK to help raise global ambition on coal phase-out through diplomacy, finance, policy and technical knowledge exchange, as well as the UK’s partnership with its international and private sector partners from the PPCA and beyond.
Date & Time: 4 July 2019 – 9:00am to 11:00am
Location: Chatham House, London
Panel 1:
Panel 2:
The event also featured a screening of the video Blueprint to Transition from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the PPCA, which explores how both the UK and The Netherlands are phasing out coal and increasing electricity generation from wind.
Here are some highlights from our live tweeting of both discussions:
Happening now… panel 1 of our #CoaltoClean event ‘How #CoalFreeFortnight shows progress is possible’ join the conversation #LDNClimateAction @e3g @PastCoal pic.twitter.com/bFhBsN5H06
— Chatham House Environment and Society (@CH_Environment) July 4, 2019
We know how we got off coal power in the UK, says @Mike_Thommo at @CH_Environment @e3g event on #coaltoclean
— Simon Evans (@DrSimEvans) July 4, 2019
* Energy efficiency
* Renewable incentives
* Carbon price pic.twitter.com/dz17x1k82o
Great to see @JulianLeslie6 explaining how we are able to manage the grid without coal. It’s our ambition to operate the system carbon free by 2025 https://t.co/3kRyAUuL4C https://t.co/aawKgFExpV
— National Energy System Operator (@neso_energy) July 4, 2019
Marcia Poletti, Deputy Director, Networks Strategy, @Ofgem: it is not a linear path to our goals. We need to keep examining what we are doing and adjusting as necessary. – regarding biomass replacing coal #coaltoclean #LDNClimateAction
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
@ELPinchbeck on transition consideration for workers, « offshore wind is the fourth biggest infrastructure industry in the UK » with a lot of opportunities for supply chain businesses and industrial employment #coaltoclean #LDNClimateAction pic.twitter.com/qVZld5OGgo
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
@Mike_Thommo, Head of Carbon Budgets, UK Committee on Climate Change: speaking to the urgency for climate action and the need for UK to play a leadership role. “Coal is the best positive example that we’ve got.” #coaltoclean #LDNClimateAction
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
Exciting second panel discussing international perspectives on phasing out coal at @ChathamHouse with @FrancisPigeon, @IpekGencsu, @matthewcgray, Nick Spooner @HermesEOS, @chrislittlecott #LDNClimateAction #coaltoclean pic.twitter.com/BYOjvl3fRf
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
@matthewcgray, Senior Analyst, Utilities & Power, @CarbonBubble shares some data on the economics of coal: In the EU, currently 2/3rd of the operating coal fleet is running at a loss. They can be replaced with more economic onshore wind and solar.
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
.@IpekGencsu says despite #G20 pledges, subsidies for #coal fired power generation have nearly trebled since 2013/14 to $47bn.#CoaltoClean #LDNClimateAction pic.twitter.com/4TXhPT9aZk
— Carbon Tracker (@CarbonBubble) July 4, 2019
Nick Spooner @HermesEOS: There is still a need to harmonize around socially responsible investment in the investor community… With coal phase out there are opportunities such as data centres and utility innovations. #LDNClimateAction #coaltoclean
— Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) (@PastCoal) July 4, 2019
.@chrislittlecott “coal phaseout is now at the forefront of the #ParisAgreement.” Lots of incremental change on green energy, but prior to @PastCoal alliance was no home for tackling thorny issue of phasing out brown energy. #CoaltoClean pic.twitter.com/8bpdUvqZqW
— Carbon Tracker (@CarbonBubble) July 4, 2019
We really couldn't let #LDNClimateAction go by without talking about coal! Fantastic start to a busy day at @ChathamHouse – thanks again to our great speakers, audience and partners 👏👏👏 Event write up coming soon #coaltoclean @PastCoal @e3g pic.twitter.com/StzkHBCzQ3
— Siân Bradley (@sianebradley) July 4, 2019