Upon receipt of the news that a coal mine had been approved for build in Cumbria, the tone from the Committee on Climate Change was understandingly negative. Outlining their worries in a letter published last week, which projects the mine to increase UK emissions by 0.4 million tonnes of C02 per year.
This announcement comes in a period that has seen the largest institutional investors distance themselves from coal, with firms such as Blackrock and the French central bank both announcing their exit from coal investments. This signal has renounced coal as a commodity of the past, so why are the UK approving plans for a new mine?
This mine will be used to extract coal for steel production, this is important to note as the coal will not be burnt for electricity generation and currently, there lacks a carbon neutral process to produce steel on a large scale. The lack of an industrial process to produce clean steel has been highlighted as a problem that is turning to sustainable technology advancements for an answer, with the deployment of solutions that use emerging technology such as carbon capture and storage proving successful on a smaller scale. This was attempted in 2019, when the UK proposed a call for evidence for these technologies to invest within a green steel fund.
The production of steel without coal remains in its infancy but is a process that requires nurturing scientifically, with the use of grants and subsidies. This technique is proving beneficial with our counterparts in the EU. As Sweden and Germany both announce the introduction of hydrogen fired steel that is low in carbon output. This positive news emerges as respective plants are set to come online in Salzgitter, Germany and Luleå, Sweden.
The recent boom in the hydrogen fuel economy has highlighted the benefits of acting as a first-mover in sustainable markets, as the thirst for innovation in industries that have remained rigid for decades is shown as paramount. This announcement is a backwards step for the UK, acting against the unveiling of a recent ten-point green plan that outlines the UK’s route to zero carbon emissions by 2050.
As we announce the new build of an ageing commodity that under “mines” the UK’s climate priorities, the Committee on Climate Change is now left picking up the pieces. Attempting to enact a U-turn to correct the UK’s sustainable policy decision making back on track.
Written by one of our contributors @Jake DG
