Carbon capture and storage: Problems at depth With the promise of “clean coal”, the industry intends to store carbon dioxide underground. However, this method of dealing with the climate crisis fails for both technical and economic reasons. By Eva Mahnke
Finance: Big players behind the scenes Digging mines, building power plants and providing infrastructure cost billions. Many countries cannot afford the investments; credit agencies and multilateral and private banks are glad to step in. By Arne Jungjohann
Dossier: Coal Atlas - Facts and figures on a fossil fuel Dossier Coal does not just kill the climate. In coal mines, terrible working conditions are rife. Accidents are commonplace. Still, EU member states subsidize coal related business with almost 10 billion euros per year. Our dossier with all the articles and infographics from our Coal Atlas.
Labour: Dirty jobs in a dirty industry Although coal production is still on the rise, the sector is employing fewer people. Structural change has spread to all continents. Nevertheless, mining underground remains one of the most dangerous occupations worldwide. By Benjamin von Brackel
Human rights: Pushed down and driven out When the coal firms arrive, local people can expect forced removal and repression. Voluntary standards are of little help. A chapter from the Coal Atlas. By Heidi Feldt and Marcus Franken
Nature: A contaminated future Open-cast mining destroys the landscape of both the pit and the surrounding area. Efforts to restore these areas often fail and the surface above the underground mines sinks. A chapter from the Coal Atlas. By Eva Mahnke
Emissions trading: Strong players, feeble instruments Trading in pollution permits has blossomed into a big business. The system has produced little benefit for the climate. Even so, the alternatives are barely discussed. A chapter from the Coal Atlas. By Eva Mahnke
Coal Atlas: Introduction Coal was, and still is, the fuel of industrialization and global economic growth. Though its negative consequences for humans and nature outweigh its economic benefits. We hope that our Coal Atlas will spur the international campaign to phase out the use of coal. By Ralf Fücks and Barbara Unmüßig
Lobbying: Paid to prevent progress Wherever climate and energy negotiations take place, the coal industry wants to have their say. They often succeed. A chapter from the Coal Atlas. By Cindy Baxter
Greenhouse gases: Spoiling the climate Digging up coal and using it to generate electricity churns out emissions that intensify the greenhouse effect. Coal is one of the biggest sources of climate change. A chapter from the Coal Atlas. By Eva Mahnke