COP26 chief sees the end of coal

The head of the UN climate conference said September 21 that a Chinese pledge to stop building new coal-fired projects overseas is the writing on the wall for the industry.

Chinese president Xi Jinping addressed climate issues in a video message to the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly. China has been concerned about its own energy security, though the president this year embraced carbon neutrality and limits to carbon emissions.

While short on specifics, Xi told the audience that Beijing would do its part on the international stage.

“China will step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad,” he said in a pre-recorded message.

The energy transition away from fossil fuels is likely to be a main theme at upcoming the UN climate conference in Glasgow. Alok Sharma, the head of conference, said from his Twitter account that China’s pledge should serve as a bellwether statement.

“It is clear the writing is on the wall for coal power,” he said.

Soaring natural gas prices, however, have pushed some major economies, including the UK, back to coal for a source of power.