The mine may produce 500 jobs, yet emit as much climate-warming pollution as if the United Kingdom added 200,000 automobiles to its roadways.
Ministers have approved the first new coal mine in the United Kingdom in 30 years, a decision “condemned” by the government’s official climate advisers.
Wednesday, Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove approved plans for a new mine in Cumbria that will provide coal for steel production rather than power generation, after years of planning disputes.
The decision makes possible the creation of 500 additional regional employees. However, it has dismayed environmentalists, who believe it would destroy the United Kingdom’s reputation as a climate leader and want to continue fighting it.
The permission comes one year after the United Kingdom hosted the COP26 climate talks, during which it urged other nations to “relegate coal to the dustbin of history.”
Lord Deben, chairman of the government’s Climate Change Committee, claimed that they “condemn” the move because it “runs counter to the UK’s declared intentions as COP26 President and sends the wrong signal to other nations about the UK’s climate priorities.”
Today’s decision diminishes the United Kingdom’s “hard-won global influence on climate,” he said.
The developer, West Cumbria Mining, stated that it was “delighted” to now be able to produce “the world’s first net zero mines.” It intends to offset emissions from the construction, mining, and transportation phases.
Green Alliance has determined that the mine may emit as much climate-warming pollution as if the United Kingdom added 200,000 automobiles to the road.
Mr. Gove decided in his conclusion that the mine would have a “broadly neutral effect” on climate change since some emissions from steel production are inevitable regardless, and the coal could just as well come from “a mine that strives to be net zero.”
Friends of the Earth’s attorneys, who opposed the proposal during the planning inquiry, are contemplating additional legal action.
In November, during the COP27 climate conference, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to making the United Kingdom a “clean energy superpower.
“Unnecessary action”
If the world is to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the International Energy Agency, a rather conservative energy think tank, has stated that no new fossil fuel projects can be constructed.
The coal is projected to become operational approximately 18 months after development commences, but approximately 85 percent will be exported.
Mark Jenkinson, the Conservative representative for Workington, stated that importing all of our coking coal would be a violation of our climate pledges.
Both possible customers in the United Kingdom stated that they would not utilize a substantial amount of coal. British Steel thinks that it has the proper composition, whereas Tata Steel wants to abandon coal in ten years in favor of greener techniques.
Former CEO of British Steel, Ron Deelan, deemed it a “totally superfluous step for the British steel business” because supplies were already abundant.
To make the UK competitive, the industry must instead invest in green technologies such as hydrogen, he argued.
If the coal was utilized locally, it would likely displace imports from the United States and not Russia.
According to the Local Government Association, Cumbria has the potential for 6,000 green jobs.
While some locals opposed the mine, the local group We Support West Cumbria Mining welcomes jobs, new technology, and other positive effects.
