EarthOne News Flash: EU Warns Against Going Back to Coal
Why the EU’s Climate Top Dog Is “Not a Smart Move”
Frans Timmermans, the European Commission’s Executive Vice‑President for Climate Action, dropped a bombshell in Indonesia: re‑smashing WIP (white‑iron‑pagan) coal during the energy squeeze isn’t a real win‑win.
He told Reuters, “If we start planting fresh coal in this crunch, it’ll be a tragedy. Coal has no future and it’s a heavyweight polluter.”
“Smart move? Cut your fossil‑fuel dependency now.” He also pointed out that renewables are still cheaper than coal—just because the world’s gas prices are flirting with the sky.
Energy Rush – The “Boom” After the COVID‑Pandemic Dust‑up
- Europe’s wholesale gas prices so high, utilities are switching to coal – even as the region hands back high‑polluting fuel.
- Asia, brimming with giants like China and India, is also biting into coal after pandemic layoffs poised to hit hard.
Global Coal Prices Set Records While Indonesia Looks to Keep Up
Coal prices are soaring so much that Indonesia, the world’s 8th biggest GHG emitter, is targeting a 2021 output surge to keep up with demand, all while floods have disrupted mining.
Co‑operation and the Path to Net‑Zero
During his Indonesia visit, ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, Timmermans described Indonesia’s ambition:
“Their plan to bump up renewables is laudable and ambitious.”
“The EU wants to team up, invest, swap tech, and bring offshore wind and solar to the market.”
Financial Roadmap – $150 Billion‑to‑$200 Billion a Year
Indonesia will need a hefty investment: USD 150‑200 Billion each year for the next nine years to hit the net‑zero goal by 2060 (or earlier), according to a government study.
Bottom Line
In a world where coal’s golden glow is fading, the EU’s green champions urge nations to ditch the coal climb and install sun, wind, or geothermal instead. Ignoring this could mean sinking in smoke, and nobody wants that.
