Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

UK's first coal mine in decades ratified, London renegs on commitments

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Dec 2022 13:56
3 Min Read

A set of think tanks warns that Whitehaven colliery is incompatible with international climate action.

  • x
  • The former Woodhouse Colliery site where West Cumbria Mining was approved to extract coal. (Getty Images)
    The former Woodhouse Colliery site where West Cumbria Mining was approved to extract coal. (Getty Images)

The UK government has approved a new coal mine in Cumbria, the country's first in more than 30 years, but actions have already been taken to dispute the decision before any work can be done.

Based on the UK's worldwide and national legally-obligated commitments to combating climate change, environmental activists are reviewing the judgment in preparation for a legal challenge.

Weakening climate push

Commenting on this issue, the chairman of the government's official climate advisors Lord Deben described the move as "absolutely indefensible".

Environmentalists are appalled by the decision and warned it would destroy the UK's reputation as a climate leader.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, said it was a "climate-busting, backward-looking, business-wrecking, stranded asset coal mine," when the country needed "a clean, green industrial strategy fit for the future".

This is a "backward step" for both the UK's domestic climate efforts and its international credibility, according to MP Alok Sharma, who oversaw the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow last year.

Related News

Coal mine explosion in Iran, at least 30 killed

Polish coal miners protest EU's anti-methane regulations in Warsaw

Additionally, protesters are preparing to carry out local actions near the mine, and any banks and investors who support the mine will face pressure from public campaigns.

This is happening one year after the UK attended COP26 and urged other nations to "consign coal to history".

How much is too much?

According to research by the think group Green Alliance, the mine could emit as much pollution that contributes to global warming as adding 200,000 additional automobiles to UK roadways.

The protracted decision questions Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's vow to turn the UK into a "clean energy superpower" during this year's COP27 climate conference in Egypt.

It follows years of disagreement over planning, with the final choice being postponed until COP27 when the government escaped feelings of shame in front of the international community.

Because they will allegedly balance the emissions during the construction phase, the mine's developers, West Cumbria Mining, claim that it will be the first "net zero" coal mine of its sort in the world.

In order for the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency, no more fossil fuel projects can be built.

Lord Deben, of the Climate Change Committee, called the proposed mine "totally unacceptable" earlier this year.

Instead of producing coal for electricity, the colliery will produce coking coal, which is needed to make steel. At least 80% is anticipated for export.

On his account, Conservative MP for Workington Mark Jenkinson affirmed that there is "no sense in importing all of our coking coal, which would be an abdication of our climate commitments". The coal is anticipated to start flowing approximately 18 months after construction begins.

  • Coal
  • coal mine
  • UK
  • Sanctions on Russia
  • Energy crisis

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Nicolas Maduro gestures to supporters during the inauguration of a monument in China's honor on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Maduro warns of threats, urges 'battle for truth' to defend Venezuela

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Politics

Netanyahu informed Trump before deadly attack in Doha: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hold a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Office, during Rubio's visit, in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Monday, September 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain axes €700Mln arms deals with 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS