As the world\u2019s nations convene in Bonn for the \u2018COP23\u2019 climate conference, civil society groups are toda<\/span>y launching <\/span>Europe Beyond Coal<\/span><\/i>, an international campaign to combat the worsening impacts of climate change and air pollution by <\/span>accelerating the move away from coal and towards clean, renewable energy<\/span>. [1]<\/span><\/p>\n Underscoring the need for this urgent shift, new health impact modelling released by the campaign shows that in 2015 the EU\u2019s coal fleet alone was responsible for an estimated 19,500 premature deaths and 10,000 cases of chronic bronchitis in adults. The health costs of coal are equally staggering: up to \u20ac54 billion in the same one-year period.<\/span><\/p>\n With the launch of the campaign, Europe Beyond Coal partners have challenged the EU to take five actions to bring an end to Europe\u2019s most harmful fuel. [2]<\/span><\/p>\n \/\/ including by ending state aid for operating mines and stopping coal from receiving capacity payments.<\/span><\/p>\n \/\/ by cutting surplus pollution permits and ensuring modernisation payments don\u2019t fund coal.<\/span><\/p>\n \/\/ for affected communities and regions to move away from coal and into safe and sustainable employment.<\/span><\/p>\n \/\/ by raising targets for energy efficiency and renewables so that coal plants can close even \u00a0sooner.<\/span><\/p>\n \/\/ by taking action to ensure countries meet their commitments to reduce air pollution, and <\/span> updating air quality limits.<\/span><\/p>\n More details about the five challenges can be found in the joint background paper \u2018Five EU actions to take Europe Beyond Coal<\/a>\u2019, published today. [2]<\/span><\/p>\n Christian Schaible, Industrial Production Policy Manager at the European Environmental Bureau: <\/b><\/p>\n The end of coal is coming far faster than many expected and governments, businesses and communities must be prepared. The EU has a crucial role to play in helping Europe move beyond coal. This needs to happen in a way that is fair to affected communities but at a speed that is fair to future generations – and for them, action really can\u2019t be quick enough.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Notes to editors:<\/strong><\/p>\n [1] Climate Action Network Europe (CAN Europe), Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL), ClientEarth, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and WWF are part of Europe Beyond Coal, a collective campaign to make Europe\u2019s energy systems coal-free by 2030. <\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n