Canada and the United Kingdom launch an alliance to promote the end of coal

Canada and the United Kingdom today launched an alliance at the Bonn climate summit (COP23) to ask countries to establish a timetable for the closure of their coal plants, the fuel fossil that contributes most to climate change, in which they aspire to add 50 countries before the next COP.

Bonn (Germany), Nov 16 (EFE). - Canada and the United Kingdom today launched an alliance at the Bonn Climate Summit (COP23) to ask countries to establish a timetable for closing their coal plants, the fossil fuel that contributes most to climate change, in which they aspire to add 50 countries before the next COP.

This was announced by the Minister of Environment Environment and Climate Change of Canada, Catherine McKenna, and the Minister of Climate Change and Industry of the United Kingdom, Claire Perry, at an event that took place in the Union pavilion European Union at COP23.

A partnership was also added: Angola, Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Holland, New Zealand, Portugal, and Switzerland.

And the goal is to reach the next climate summit in Katowice (Poland) with at least 50 countries on the platform.

McKenna reminded that the 40% of electricity in the world, but that is "one of the biggest sources of pollution, and of problems for the health of people", so Canada has committed to eliminate it completely in 2030.

"Gradually removing the energy from coal is good news for the climate, for our health and for our children." Coal literally suffocates our cities, and is responsible for the untimely death of one million people annually, so we ask States, cities and regions to join this initiative, "he added.

In addition to the closure of coal plants, the alliance aims to boost "low carbon economic growth, promoting investments in clean technologies and energies renewable ".

Likewise, they commit themselves to the transition from this source to other renewable sources" be done in a fair manner for the workers and the communities where the plants are located. coal, "stressed the British Minister.

" The reduction of global coal consumption should be an urgent priority for all countries, because it is the most polluting way to generate electricity, "said Perry, who recalled that the United Kingdom is committed to completely eliminate coal from its energy mix by 2025.

" Now we hope to inspire others to follow our example, "she added.

Speaking to media after the media, the UN climate change chief, Christiana Figueres, stressed" the importance of this group of countries have realized that coal is the number one enemy of public health, and, in addition, it is no longer competitive with renewables and even against natural gas ".

Costa Rican questioned that Spain is not in this list of countries, and that "from the Government Iberdrola be blocked by announcing the closure of the two coal plants that it has in Spain, still guaranteeing employment for its 170 workers and when there is no risk for the supply because the country has overcapacity. "

For its part, the Energy spokesperson of Greenpeace Spain, Tatiana Nuño, who was present at the event, told Efe that "this alliance sends a very positive signal that reflects once again the global dynamics that distance of coal for the benefit of climate health, the public and the economy. "

" Now, the Government of Spain must stop turning its back on the fight against climate change and plan and favor the way for coal thermals to be closed before the year 2025, ensuring a just transition for people working in this sector ", He added.

Nuño hoped that in the course of this year "we can see Spain being part of this Alliance for a future without coal."

Late in the afternoon, State of Environment of the Spanish Government, María García, said in a meeting with representatives of civil society present at COP23 that the Spanish Executive would assess whether to join or not to the platform.