Coal still generated record CO2 emissions, threatening Paris climate goals, even as the number of coal-fired power plants worldwide declined 13-percent on year to 457 gigawatts (GW) in 2021.
Coal power capacity under construction or planned for development has declined by three-quarters since the 195-nation deal was signed in 2015, according to the annual Global Energy Monitor study.
More than 2,400 coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 2,100 GW are in operation in 79 countries.
Tracking the Global Coal Plant Pipeline, just 34 nations are considering new coal plants, down from 41 in January 2021.
China, Japan, and South Korea have all agreed to stop funding new coal plants outside of their borders, despite concerns about apparent loopholes in China's commitment.
Despite this, the global coal-fired power fleet expanded by 18 GW in 2021, and an additional 176 GW of coal capacity was under construction as of December, around the same as the previous year.
China is responsible for the majority of this expansion, accounting for little over half of all new coal-fired electricity in the pipeline. Another 37 percent comes from South and Southeast Asia.
Last year, China saw three-quarters of all new coal power plants break ground, with newly commissioned capacity more than offsetting coal plant retirements in all other countries combined.
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency have cautioned that the only way to keep global warming within tolerable levels is to stop building new coal plants and phase out existing ones quickly.
Many growing economies, including India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, have reduced their plans for new coal-fired power plants.
China has pledged to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon-neutral by 2060, making it the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
In 2021, the European Union decommissioned a total of 12.9 GW, with 5.8 GW in Germany, 1.7 GW in Spain, and 1.9 GW in Portugal being coal-free in November 2021, nine years ahead of schedule.


What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature
UPS MD-11 Crash Prompts Families to Prepare Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut
Microchip Technology Boosts Q3 Outlook on Strong Bookings Momentum
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities
Swimming in the sweet spot: how marine animals save energy on long journeys
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data
Tesla Faces 19% Drop in UK Registrations as Competition Intensifies
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears
Thousands of satellites are due to burn up in the atmosphere every year – damaging the ozone layer and changing the climate
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike
Proxy Advisors Urge Vote Against ANZ’s Executive Pay Report Amid Scandal Fallout
Visa to Move European Headquarters to London’s Canary Wharf
Lake beds are rich environmental records — studying them reveals much about a place’s history 



