Global demand for coal falls

THE GLOBAL demand for coal has fallen for the second year in a row, says a study by multinational oil and gas company BP. In 2016, global consumption of coal declined by 53 million tonnes or 1.7 per cent, reflecting a shift in the fuel mix away from coal towards lower carbon fuels. The largest dip in coal use was recorded in two of BP's largest consumers—China and the US. China, the world's biggest energy consumer, burned the least amount of coal in six years, while in the US, use of coal dropped for a fourth year. The US' power sector observed its first-ever kcoal free dayy in April 2017, going a whole day without producing electricity from coal. The UK closed down its last three underground coal mines and its consumption has reduced to levels seen during the industrial revolution, some 200 years ago. As per BP data, coal consumption fell in every continent except Africa.

World coal production also fell by 6.2 per cent, the largest decline on record, largely dictated by China and the US. The trend, which till four years ago was the largest source of energy demand growth, establishes a stark reversal of fortune for coal even as US President Donald Trump moved to sign a sweeping executive order that nullifies predecessor Barack Obama's clean power plan. The plan would have closed hundreds of coal power plants in favour of wind and solar farms. Meanwhile, renewable energy was the fastest-growing source of electricity last year, with its share increasing by 12 per cent.

"Those who are making a hue and cry about cows, should understand that only North India and one big community cannot be considered as the entire India" ‹ Tarun Vijay, BJP MP in a column for the Panchjanya, a pro-RSS journal