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Calling on Canada to ban thermal coal mining and exporting

August 11, 2021

There’s a reason thermal coal is known as the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel: Burning it for energy generates half of the world’s carbon emissions, accelerates the climate crisis, wreaks havoc on the environment, and causes 800,000 premature deaths every year.

In fact, thermal coal is so harmful that the federal government has pledged to phase out domestic use by 2030 and — thanks to pressure from Ecojustice, our partners, and our community of supporters —recently announced a policy that effectively bans new mining projects in Canada. However, existing mines continue to operate, and Canadian and American mining companies export millions of tonnes of coal through Canadian ports annually.

If Canada wants to become a true global climate leader, we must account for our exported emissions — including those from exported thermal coal. Emissions from coal burned overseas hurt our shared climate. Once in the atmosphere, carbon emissions do not respect borders.

Ecojustice has worked tirelessly for years against thermal coal mines expansions. Now we are calling on the federal government to ban thermal coal mining and exporting from Canada once and for all.

The world is in the grips of a climate emergency, and thermal coal simply has no place in the climate-safe future we are all fighting for. If we are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 – the minimum required to keep the planet livable – we cannot continue to mine and burn coal in Canada or abroad.

A complete ban on thermal coal mining and exports will strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in efforts to power past coal, and protect Canadians and our communities for generations to come.

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