Coal

Coal has been used as a source of energy for thousands of years. Today, coal has again replaced oil as the world's most widely used fuel. 

A natural fuel

Coal is made from plants and other organisms trapped beneath the surface of the Earth. Under intense pressure and high temperatures, these organisms have been transformed over millions of years.

The different kinds of coal include lignite, mineral coal and anthracite. Peat, an early stage of lignite, is also classified as a fossil fuel in most countries. The types of coal vary in geological age and carbon content, giving them different properties. They also contain varying amounts of water, with lignite containing up to 50 per cent and mineral coal rarely consisting of more than 20 per cent.

Coal and the environment

Coal contains many different elements, some of which can harm the environment. When coal is burnt, carbon dioxide is formed – which is the most significant man-made climate-changing pollutant.

The future

There are large amounts of coal present around the globe, and it is mined almost everywhere. In line with the Kyoto protocol, many European countries are working to reduce the use of coal. Another way to reduce emissions is to build plants that separate and store carbon dioxide.

Share of coal used in electricity generation: