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https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/nov/17/south-korean-decision-to-close-all-coal-fired-power-plants-by-2040-sounds-alarm-for-australian-exports>
"The Australian government has been urged to prepare for a shift away from
thermal coal exports and accelerate green industries after one of its main
international customers signed up to close all coal-fired power plants by 2040.
South Korea, Australia’s third-biggest market for coal burned to generate
electricity, announced at the Cop30 climate conference in Brazil that it was
joining the “Powering Past Coal Alliance”, a group of about 60 nations and 120
sub-national governments, businesses and organisations committed to phasing out
the fossil fuel.
South Korea’s minister of climate, energy and environment, Kim Sung-hwan, said
it demonstrated the country’s commitment to “accelerating a just and clean
energy transition”.
The north Asian country has the world’s seventh-largest coal power fleet and is
the world’s fourth-largest thermal coal importer behind China, India and Japan,
responsible for about 8% of global trade. Coal provides about 30% of its
electricity.
“The shift from coal to clean power is not only essential for the climate. It
will also help both the Republic of Korea and all other countries increase our
energy security, boost the competitiveness of our businesses, and create
thousands of jobs,” Kim said in a statement.
The pledge commits Korea to retiring 62 coal plants, 40 of which already have
confirmed closure dates. The analytics firm Kpler estimates Australia will sell
about A$2.3bn (US$1.5bn) worth of thermal coal to South Korea this year.
James Bowen, the director of consultancy ReMap Research, said South Korea’s
decision would send a powerful signal across the Asia-Pacific.
“For Australia to continue to rely on fossil fuel exports in the medium to long
term is a risky strategy,” he said."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
