Coal & Society

The global energy system faces many challenges.

These challenges include widening access to affordable energy supplies. Over 1.6 billion people (25% of the world's population) do not have access to electricity. Affordable, secure and reliable electricity supply enables economic development which is a prerequisite for poverty alleviation.

Coal plays a central role in supporting global economic development, alleviating poverty and is an essential resource to meeting the world's energy needs. Coal currently supplies 27% of primary energy and 41% of electricity generation. Coal use is forecast to rise over 50% to 2030, with developing countries responsible for 97% of this increase, primarily to meet electrification rates.

It is important that we maximise the value to society from the production and use of coal while at the same time minimising any negative impacts. The coal industry is committed to delivering value across the whole coal chain - from production, transportation, right through to utilisation and legacy issues.