The use of coal (a major polluter) in electricity generation has declined dramatically across Europe according to the environmental think tank sandbag.
Pan Europe usage has fallen by 22% but in four countries the decline is significantly greater (Spain, France, UK and Ireland).
The decline is Ireland is 79% the highest across Europe. The replacement for coal is found to be split equally between renewables and gas. However the report is optimistic that with economic factors the need for what’s termed ‘the gas bridge’ will decline and the switch from coal to solar and wind power will accelerate.
Sandbag link here:
https://sandbag.org.uk/project/coal-collapse/
Related link Green News.ie:
https://greennews.ie/coal-down-79-percent/
Image: Graphic from Sandbag gives the pan-european picture.
Bernard Moffatt
Assistant General Secretary Celtic League
