COP31: Coal transition partnerships launched even as Iran war boosts coal use

The Powering Past Coal Alliance launched a new initiative at the UN Climate Change Conference on Nov. 10 to accelerate the shift away from coal, as the US-Israel war with Iran pushes up coal use in some economies.

The Coal Transition Partnerships will provide tailored financial and technical support to governments at the critical early stages of planning a move to clean power, the PPCA said in a statement.

At an event during COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, Rachel Kyte, UK special representative for climate, said the goal of the initiative is to reframe the debate and "help countries manage their transition away from coal" rather than install new capacity.

While acknowledging that the US-Iran conflict has pushed energy security to the top of government agendas and made domestically produced coal appear attractive in the short term, Kytesaid countries still recognize that coal is not the answer.

The initiative seeks to connect governments and utilities with coordinated support at the critical early stages of planning a shift to clean power, helping them tap at least $23 billion already allocated to coal transition finance, much of which remains unused.

Coal power is the single biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for more than 40% of global emissions in 2026, according to data from the Global Carbon Budget project.

Clean power push

The first country-led partnerships are expected to be announced in 2027, with a target to support around 10 of the world's 21 most coal-dependent countries by COP33 in 2028.

Eight financial and technical partners have joined the initiative, including the Asian Development Bank, the Climate Investment Funds, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and RMI, the statement added.

Political backing has come from Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Netherlands and the UK.

The PPCA is a global coalition of governments and local actors committed to the phase-out of coal. The coalition does not include China or India, the world's two largest coal consumers. The US had joined the PPCA in 2023 but left the alliance after US President Donald Trump began his second term.

In a statement, Katie White, UK minister for climate transition and PPCA co-chair, said that countries around the world are joining forces to make the switch to cleaner, cheaper energy, adding that the UK is sharing what it has learned to help others cut costs and strengthen energy security.

Oman also joined the PPCA at COP31, committing to maintaining a coal-free power system and bringing the alliance to 184 national and subnational governments, businesses and organizations.

This launch came alongside a separate update from the UK and Brazil on the Global Clean Power Alliance Finance Mission, one year on from the publication of its first country action plans at COP30.

The mission, launched at the G20 summit in November 2024, is now delivering practical support in Brazil, the Eastern Caribbean and East Africa, and has welcomed the ASEAN Centre for Energy and Ethiopia as new members, giving the initiative its first foothold in Asia, the UK government said in a statement also on Nov. 10.