Should Australia ditch coal by 2030?

The Australian government has made it clear that the country will continue to both produce and export coal well beyond 2030

This comes despite strong warnings from a top UN climate official who says failing to reduce fossil fuels will “wreak havoc” on the economy.

Australia is currently on the battleground against many other developed nations which are working hard to phase out fossil fuels entirely by 2030.

Selwin Hart, UN Assistant Secretary-General said wealthy nations must stop using coal power by 2030.

This is to prevent global warming from getting worse…and within the agreed target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

During a speech to ANU, Hard said many investors are increasingly abandoning coal in favour of renewables, which are now cheaper in most places

He said he fully understands the role that coal and other fossil fuels have played in Australia’s economy, with mining accounting for just over 2 per cent of Australia’s labour market 

“But it’s essential to have a broader, more honest and rational conversation about what is in Australia’s interests because the bottom line is clear.

He says If coal isn’t phased out, climate change will wreak havoc across all sectors 

Australia’s minister for resources backs coal power for driving economy

The nation’s minister for resources says “the future of this crucial industry will be decided by the Australian Government, not a foreign body that wants to shut it down”

The minister believes shutting down the sector entirely will “cost thousands of jobs and billions of export dollars for Australia’s economy”.

Meanwhile, the government holds that Australia has an important role to play in supplying coal to various nations.

It says “coal consumption throughout Asia is forecast to grow over the next decade to meet the energy demands of countries like China, India and South Korea”.

Australia stands as the second-largest exporter of coal in the world, and the minister stands firm on the fact that “Australia has an important role to play in meeting this demand”.