Be practical: WCA message to the EU

EU climate change policies should concentrate of practical actions rather than setting ever-tighter emissions regulations, according to Milton Catelin, CEO of the World Coal Association (WCA).

Caitlin’s comments some in a blog response to the European Council’s setting of new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets for the period from 2020 to 2030. Under these new targets, GHG emissions will need to fall by at least 40% compared to the 1990 level.

The council also agreed to increase energy efficiency and renewables by at least 27% and to establish several funds to finance renewable and carbon capture and storage projects.

Whether these targets are achievable remains to be seen – but this may miss the point. As The Economist’s recently Charlamagne columnist wrote, the EU still aspires to be the leader of the global climate change debate – if nothing else. And with a next round of climate change talks scheduled in Paris in December, a deal was needed to keep these dreams alive.

Unfortunately, this means “pretending that Europe doesn’t rely on coal,” argued Catelin. A better – and more honest approach – would be to include coal in any climate change negotiations through the adoption of the most modern coal power technologies, such as supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants, coal gasification and CCS.

“Technology development can make a significant practical contribution to reducing emissions from coal use, while balancing economic development and energy security priorities,” concluded Catelin. “This may not be such an exciting headline – but over the longer term, it’s a much more sustainable approach to reducing our global emissions.”

Written by Jonathan Rowland.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/31102014/world-coal-be-practical-wca-message-to-the-eu-coal1520/