Powering Past Coal Alliance

Belchatow Power Station in Poland, Europe's most polluting power plant, which is scheduled to close in 2036

The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) is a group of 188 countries, cities, regions and organisations aiming to accelerate the coal phase-out of coal-fired power stations, except the very few which have carbon capture and storage. It has been described as a "non-proliferation treaty" for fossil fuels. The project was undertaken with financial support from the Government of Canada, through their environmental department known as Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The Nanticoke Generating Station in Ontario, one of the largest power plants to be shut as part of Ontario's coal phaseout

The Alliance was launched by Canada and the UK at the COP23 climate summit in November 2017. Announcing the launch, Climate Action Network-Canada Executive Director Catherine Abreu said: "Canada and the UK are right to kick-start the Alliance, as science tells us that OECD countries need to phase out coal by 2030 at the latest".

By the end of the summit, membership had grown to include over 20 countries, regions and organizations. Within a month membership had grown to over 50. Its purpose is to establish a new international norm, or "standard of appropriate behaviour", that coal should not be burned for power.

In April 2018 a research partnership was announced with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

In October 2018 the South Korean province of South Chungcheong became the first jurisdiction in Asia and the largest user of coal power to join the Alliance. In December 2018 Sydney, Melbourne, Scotland, Scottish Power, Senegal and Israel also joined and in September 2019 seven new members joined including Germany and Slovakia.

In June 2020 6 global finance organisations joined including Desjardins Group, the first major North American financial institution to join.

During 2021 at least 38 new members joined including Hungary, Uruguay, Chile, Estonia, Singapore, Slovenia and Ukraine.

During 2023 at least 15 new members joined including The Czech Republic, Morocco, Colombia and the United States.

Coal use for power by country and territory in 2024–25. Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) membership also indicated. _ Coal >50% of grid electricity _ Coal 10–50% of grid electricity _ Coal 10–50% of grid electricity (PPCA member) _ Coal <10% of grid electricity _ Coal <10% of grid electricity (PPCA member) _ Coal <1% of grid electricity _ No data

Alliance members agree that:

• Governments/states will phase out existing traditional coal power.
• Governments/states will create a moratorium on any new traditional coal power stations without operational carbon capture and storage.
• Businesses/organisations will power operations without coal.
• Members will ensure policies and investments support clean power.
• Members will restrict financing for traditional coal power without carbon capture and storage.

Reacting to the launch, Tracy Carty of Oxfam said the Alliance "represents real and tangible progress in the fight against climate change."

Business change organisation The B Team welcomed the Alliance, and argued that exiting coal must happen as a just transition that protects vulnerable workers and communities such as coal mining communities.

As of 2025, the US has closed, or planned closure of, 65% of coal plants, Europe has planned the retirement of 50% of its coal fleet, and Canada has reduced its coal capacity by 83%.

Several countries have closed all of their coal plants including:

• Belgium closed its last coal plant in 2016.
• Austria closed its last coal plant in 2020.
• Sweden closed its last coal plant in 2020.
• The UAE converted its only coal plant to natural gas in 2022.
• Norway closed its last coal plant in 2023.
• United Kingdom closed its last coal plant in 2024.
• Ireland closed its last coal plant in 2025.

Ethiopia had planned what would have been its only coal plant in 2011, but it is not being built.

Members of the Powering Past Coal Alliance as of November 2025 were:

• Peak coal

• Beyond Coal

• Under2 Coalition

• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group

• Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative

• Official website