The war in Ukraine alone does not explain the return of coal to Europe. The proof is that the consumption of this fossil fuel has been on the rise for almost three years. But it is true that the rebound is accelerating. In recent weeks, environmental activists have something to brood about. Germany, which temporarily reopened 27 coal-fired power plants in 2022, last weekend evicted environmental activists from a ZAD in Lützerath (North Rhine-Westphalia) where the extension of the local mine is being played out. . To avoid power cuts, Poland is massively importing coal and postponing the planned closure of its coal-fired power stations. And even France is no exception to this phenomenon.
The reasons for this rebound – and the consequences to be anticipated on the EU’s carbon neutrality objectives – can be found in our video. With in particular the intervention of Flora Champenois, researcher at the Global Energy Monitor.