New study on the successful phase-out of coal in the UK
Phasing-out coal fired power generation is a key strategy to combat climate change. Under certain conditions coal phase-out can happen much more quickly than anticipated, finds a new study by Karoliina Isoaho and Jochen Markard.
In the study, Karoliina and Jochen analyze changes in the public discourse on coal in the UK from 2000 until 2017. They find scientists and environmental NGOs criticizing coal for climate and health reasons, while government and incumbent businesses tried to push ‘clean’ coal based on carbon capture and storage. However, the latter strategy was unsuccessful. Particularly devastating for coal were failed promises around carbon capture and storage, rapid diffusion of wind energy, and pressure from various policies. Our work underllines that processes of decline can be as important for the energy transition as the accelerated diffusion of e.g. renewables.
DownloadDownload papervertical_align_bottom at Review of Policy Research.