Series will kick off with a high-level event during London Climate Action Week
As the last remaining coal power plant closes in Britain, the UK and Canadian governments and Bloomberg Philanthropies will convene a series of Solutions Dialogues across the globe. Facilitated by the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), the coalition of national and subnational governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy, the events will bring together government, business, finance and civil society leaders to raise ambition and accelerate action to phase out unabated coal power and get on track for 1.5oC.
The series will begin with a High-Level Dialogue at London’s Battersea Power Station, once a coal power station supplying a fifth of London’s power, during London Climate Action Week on Monday, June 24. Ministers and other prominent global figures will showcase the key actions they are taking and define the priority next steps for a just and effective transition. Justin Tomlinson, UK Minister of State in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Catherine Stewart, Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change will speak at the event. Additional participants will be announced over the coming weeks.
This will be followed by a series of Regional Dialogues hosted by PPCA members and partners across the globe throughout 2024. The first one will take place in Santiago, Chile. The Regional Dialogues will help coal-reliant countries, particularly emerging economies, and businesses to overcome the challenges of phasing out coal. This is the first step in transitioning away from fossil fuels, a commitment made at the UN Climate Summit COP28 last year.
Justin Tomlinson, UK Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero and Co-Chair of the PPCA says:
“This year the UK will phase out coal power a year ahead of schedule – becoming one of the first major economies to do so. As we reach this milestone domestically, we are doubling down on efforts to engage with countries across the globe to share what we’ve learned and work together to meet our ambitions. Last year’s COP28 set a clear goal to move away from fossil fuels in line with 1.5oC – this year must be about translating this into tangible action on the ground.”
Steven Guilbeault, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Co-Chair of the PPCA says:
“Canada and the United Kingdom helped found the Powering Past Coal Alliance in 2017 and now that a third of the world’s countries have joined, it is time to harness our collective experience to phase out unabated coal power. It is crucial that we work together towards increased climate action to meet the 1.5-degrees target. As nations prepare to set more ambitious 2035 targets, these new targets will need to be supported by clear roadmaps to get there together. Cutting coal emissions remains the most direct, lowest cost route to climate success. Through these Solutions Dialogues, we can help turn the tide on climate change and secure a sustainable future for all.”
Michael R. Bloomberg, Founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions says:
“Coal-fired plants are the single biggest contributor to climate change, so phasing out coal couldn’t be more urgent. We’ve helped close more than 70 percent of U.S. coal plants and half of Europe’s, but globally, we still have a long way to go. These events will bring together leaders from all levels from government and business to share strategies, learn from one another, and spread ideas to move the world away from coal, faster.”
Coal power is the largest source of carbon emissions and phasing it out is the most important step the world can take to curb climate change. To keep 1.5oC within reach, countries need to immediately stop building new coal power plants and phase them out in OECD by 2030 and in non-OECD by 2040.
The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) is a coalition of national and subnational governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. It is co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Canada, and currently has 182 members.
From September 2024, the United Kingdom will no longer use coal to generate electricity, a year earlier than planned. With coal supplying 40% of the UK’s electricity only a decade ago, this is one of the fastest energy transitions away in the world. The UK has proven that a swift transition is feasible while maintaining security of supply and affordable prices.
For more information, please contact:
Anna Drazkiewicz,
PPCA Communications Manager,
anna.drazkiewicz@poweringpastcoal.org,
00 32 487 32 45 62
