Coal is the most abundant and obvious energy source in the world, but opponents to its use are more vocal than ever.
It is not just concern at coal’s role in creating carbon emissions — and hence climate change — that is a problem for demand. Economics also play a part, with coal’s competitiveness against other types of fuel having fallen.
In the US, for example, the emergence of shale gas has meant some coal output has been priced out of the market. Peabody Energy, the US’s largest coal miner, says falls in the price of natural gas will cut US coal demand by 60m-80m tons this year. US coal demand last year was close to 920m short tons, says the US Energy Information Administration.
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