Trudeau vows to end coal exports by 2030

Promise comes during U.N. climate change conference

The Prime Minister has vowed to end thermal coal exports within the next decade.

A promise to end these exports was made during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. Around 120 world leaders are in attendance, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. At the conference, Trudeau said that ending coal power emissions is one of the single most important steps the world must take in the fight against climate change.

“Climate action can’t wait. Since 2015, Canada has been a committed partner in the fight against climate change, and as we move to a net-zero future, we will continue to do our part to cut pollution and build a cleaner future for everyone,” said Trudeau. “Together, we will beat this crisis while creating a green economy and new middle-class jobs for Canadians.”

The subsequent ban on exporting thermal coal by 2030 comes on top of the accelerated phasing-out of conventional coal-fired electricity in Canada during the same timeframe. Coal-fired electricity is responsible for about 20 per cent of global greenhouse emissions. In phasing out this source of power, Canada is expected to cut carbon pollution by nearly 13 million tonnes in 2030.

“Since the world came together for the Paris climate agreement in 2015, Canada has taken great strides in the fight against climate change – but there’s still much work to be done,” said Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “With our global partners, we will continue to play a constructive leadership role to move from ambitious hopes to realizing the benefits to our environment. Together, we will create jobs, build healthy communities, and transition to net zero.”

COP26 runs until November 12.

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