To fix the climate crisis, the world needs to stop burning coal as fast as possible.
One-third of all carbon emissions come from burning coal, making it the single largest contributor to climate change.
Thankfully, advancements in renewable energy technologies mean that coal is no longer necessary and the work to phase it out is already well underway. The US has shuttered or announced plans to retire more than 65% of its coal plants over the last decade, and nearly half of Europe’s coal fleet has been confirmed for retirement in just the past five years. Progress isn’t just happening — it’s accelerating.
The Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown has one singular mission: To track and count down the world’s remaining coal plant units as decision makers across governments and the private sector work together to accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.
6,580
Global Number of Operating Plant Units
+0.63%
Net Change in 1 Year
2,130,118
Top Global Coal Plant Capacity by MW
+2.22%
Net Change in 1 Year
Top 10 Country Ranking By...
OPERATIONAL CAPACITY (MW)
The Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown provides data on coal capacity and phase-out journey around the world. The Coal Plant Status map shows all existing coal plants of 30 MW or larger, as well as every plant proposed, by their operational status since January 1, 2010. The Phase-Out Status map shows the phase-out commitments of individual countries as of July 2023. The No New Coal Status map shows the no new coal commitments of individual countries as of July 2023.
Data is provided by Global Energy Monitor, University of Maryland Center for Global Sustainability, and Powering Past Coal Alliance.
Global Coal Plants and Development Pipeline by Status
All access, use, and downloading of the Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown Dashboard content is subject to the Terms of Use found at bloombergcoalcountdown.com/terms-of-use/
Global Coal Plants and Development Pipeline by Status
Global Emission Reduction Scenarios
GHG Emissions from Coal Plants (in GtCO2e)
All access, use, and downloading of the Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown Dashboard content is subject to the Terms of Use found at bloombergcoalcountdown.com/terms-of-use/
Global Emission Reduction Scenarios
GHG Emissions from Coal Plants (in GtCO2e)
Capacity Change 2019-2023 by Region
All access, use, and downloading of the Bloomberg Global Coal Countdown Dashboard content is subject to the Terms of Use found at bloombergcoalcountdown.com/terms-of-use/
Capacity Change 2019-2023 by Region
If you can't measure it, you can't manage it.
Michael R. Bloomberg
UN SECRETARY-GENERAL’S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR CLIMATE AMBITION AND SOLUTIONS
FOUNDER OF BLOOMBERG LP AND BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES
I am calling on all governments, private companies, and local authorities to… cancel all global coal projects in the pipeline and end the deadly addiction to coal.
António Guterres
SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
FEATURED ANALYSIS
Global Coal Phase-out: Tracking Coal Plant Retirements,
This webpage uses an interactive approach to presenting data on coal plant retirements.
December 14, 2023
Global Coal Phase-out: Tracking Coal Plant Retirements,
This webpage uses an interactive approach to presenting data on coal plant retirements.
December 14, 2023
EPHs transition plan faces heightened scrutiny after new bond issuance
This article reviews the increasing reliance by the Czech energy group EPH on international bonds and flags the risk that the company’s long-term funding access may be constrained by its lack of a transition plan away from fossil fuel generation, including coal plants in Italy an ...
December 14, 2023
EPHs transition plan faces heightened scrutiny after new bond issuance
This article reviews the increasing reliance by the Czech energy group EPH on international bonds and flags the risk that the company’s long-term funding access may be constrained by its lack of a transition plan away from fossil fuel generation, including coal plants in Italy an ...
December 14, 2023
In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk
This 25-page report estimates methane emissions from coal mines may be twice as large as reported by governments.
November 30, 2023
In The Dark: underreporting of coal mine methane is a major climate risk
This 25-page report estimates methane emissions from coal mines may be twice as large as reported by governments.
November 30, 2023