Many countries and companies are pursuing with vigour the concept of ‘clean coal', where toxic emissions of are reduced by over 90% and sulphur and greenhouse gas emissions are rendered virtually non-existent. Research is underway in Europe, North America and Asia on how to make use of the world's most abundant fossil fuel in ways that are environmentally and socially more acceptable.
While no one doubts coal will be with us for many generations to come, many are grasping at the quick fixes that would appear to make coal a ‘clean fossil fuel'. But to date, the solutions remain elusive. In addition to unproven technologies - at least on a scale that would make a real difference - there is the thorny issue of costs, most of which would have to be borne up front.
The 2007 World Energy Outlook estimated that coal use, despite potential greenhouse gas emissions, will rise 70% by 2030 and will surpass petroleum as the dominant energy source. This poses a significant problem in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels that will avert the worst impacts of climate change.
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