Coal-burning power stations are Australia’s single largest source of domestic greenhouse emissions. Just one power station can emit a quantity of carbon dioxide each year equivalent to millions of cars. We’re also a poor performer internationally: of the OECD and G20 countries around the world, Australia has the most polluting electricity grid.X
Burning coal causes climate change, and the impacts of climate change are already clear to see. More frequent and more extreme weather events like droughts, heatwaves, bushfires and floods pose a threat to our way of life, our food production systems and water supply.X
Replacing coal-burning power stations with clean, affordable renewable energy over the next decade is the most effective and efficient way for us to take meaningful action on climate change.
Research by Climate Analytics has shown that in order to meet our international commitments on climate change, coal electricity generation will need to be phased out globally by 2040. For countries like Australia, the deadline for coal phase-out is 2030. This graph compares the current trajectory of coal generation in Australia (grey) with the trajectory we need if we’re going to do our bit to tackle climate change (blue).