Last year saw a decrease in global coal consumption for the first time in three years. Some have marked this as a decisive turning point whilst others have suggested it will only be a temporary excursion – linked to the economic slowdown seen in a number of developing economies, which are largely responsible for its continued consumption at scale.
In light of recent and ongoing events, this year will be an outlier (retrospectively) and is likely to have a significant impact going forwards. Society’s response to the repercussions of COVID-19 must not lose sight of the major challenge of our time – clean energy transitions. The disruption caused now offers an opportunity to further progress our cause, but by many it may equally be seen as an ‘easy option’ to return to more polluting ways.
• Rystad Energy has predicted the latter, with a possible resurgence of coal.
• Dr Fatih Birol, IEA has highlighted the opportunity in this crisis.