A “coal curtain” is the new Iron Curtain

8 January 2019, Blue Link Stories

The European Union’s goal to become climate neutral by 2050 needs joint effort to decarbonise its power sector. Yet, a “coal curtain” still seem to divide West and East, as most Eastern countries show hesitation or opposition when it comes to phasing out coal. The Polish presidency of the UN Climate Talks held in Katowice in December 2018 put spotlight on the topic of “just transition” to a clean economy, focusing on rights of workers in the coal industry. Civil society representatives warned that no time is left to delay action on mitigating climate change and air pollution. A “coal curtain” is the new Iron Curtain