CIVICUS speaks with Anne Harris, a campaigner with Coal Action Network, which works to end the use, mining and importation of coal and to secure justice for communities affected by the UK’s current and historic involvement with coal.

On 30 September, the UK closed its last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, ending 142 years of national dependence on coal. Its closure fulfilled the government’s commitment to phase out coal by 2024 as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable energy. Measures have been put in place to help Ratcliffe’s remaining employees transition to new roles in the energy sector. Environmental groups welcomed the milestone and called for an immediate ban on new coal mining and exports.

Why do you campaign against coal?

Coal is the largest historical contributor to climate change due to its significant greenhouse gas emissions. The process of mining coal, particularly opencast mining, destroys ecosystems, waterways and the geology above coal seams. Mining releases methane – a potent greenhouse gas – and burning coal in power plants emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide, further exacerbating the climate crisis. Communities near coalmines suffer from environmental degradation and health problems. There’s also evidence of human rights abuses linked to coalmining in various parts of the world. These harmful impacts are unacceptable.

Since 2008, Coal Action Network has been campaigning against planning permission for new or expanded coalmines in the UK. We have been involved in over 25 successful campaigns. We stand in solidarity with communities around the world who are also resisting coalmining and its associated infrastructure, and advocate for a just transition to renewable energy. The International Energy Agency has said that in a net zero economy there’s no need for new coalmines or extensions to existing ones. We need to keep coal in the ground to protect future generations.

Is the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station a civil society victory?

Absolutely, it is a victory and a testament to the power of grassroots activism. It reflects years of sustained opposition to coal power, particularly in the early 2000s when the UK government proposed building several new coal-fired power stations. At the time, civil society rose up in protest, highlighting the lack of viable technology to effectively capture all emissions and the significant infrastructure and energy required for these projects. Through protests, climate camps and direct action, communities voiced their discontent, successfully stopping new coal developments and pushing for a cleaner energy future.

The closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station marks a crucial shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies. Successful campaigns by a range of environmental groups, including the recent legal victory of the Weald Action Group in the Supreme Court, show the importance of holding fossil fuel companies to account. This ruling requires fossil fuel emissions to be taken into account when planning permission is granted for extraction sites – an important step towards a sustainable energy transition.

What should the UK government do to make progress on the transition to renewable energy?

Although the government has taken some initial steps, we need more decisive action. It should set out a clear decarbonisation plan for fossil fuel, biomass and heavy industry sites, as well as government funding to support a fair transition for workers affected by changes.

The new Labour government should implement a total ban on coalmining and exports to send a clear message that coalmining is no longer acceptable. This must be accompanied by a robust industrial strategy that encourages industries such as cement and brick making to move away from coal and towards sustainable alternatives.

It is also crucial to tackle the environmental damage caused by opencast coalmining. At Ffos-y-fran, near Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales, coal has been mined for over 16 years and last year the site was operating illegally after its planning permission expired. The site has been left in a dangerous state and needs the immediate attention of the UK and Welsh governments. They must prioritise remediation to the originally agreed standards and ensure adequate funding for clean-up. Communities affected by mining, such as those in Merthyr Tydfil, should also be at the forefront of efforts to create a safe and sustainable environment.

What’s next for the Coal Action Network?

Coal Action Network remains committed to ending the UK coal industry and supporting communities around the world to do the same. A current priority is to stop the extraction of coal from former deep coalmine waste dumps at Bedwas in Caerphilly, south Wales. The proposed project would widen forest tracks and generate noise, pollution and 1.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. Local communities are fiercely opposed to such destruction.

We are also campaigning for a change in government policy to permanently ban coal mining and export and prevent new applications in the future. Through advocacy and solidarity, we continue to fight for an end to coal in the UK and support communities around the world in their fight against coal.