GLASGOW, SCOTLAND -- Today, the annual United Nations Climate Negotiations (COP26) began in Glasgow, with thousands of attendees from across the globe convening for climate action and discussions. The event began with Bloomberg Philanthropies announcing a huge new initiative aiming to close 25% of the world’s remaining coal plants—and all of the proposed plants—by 2025.
In response, the Sierra Club’s International Climate and Policy Campaign Director, Cherelle Blazer, issued the following statement:
“Bloomberg’s new international commitment could make this the COP that ends coal for good. During the Sierra Club’s partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Beyond Coal campaign has secured retirement commitments from two-thirds of the U.S. coal fleet, a truly transformative shift in the way we power our country. The surging successes of Beyond Coal Europe, Japan and Korea show that this is a proven model for real change. We’re excited to see this new effort help move the world to 100 percent clean power.”
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In partnership with Bloomberg, Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign has helped retire 65% of U.S. coal plants, leading to a 43% drop in coal emissions in less than a decade. This also allowed the U.S. to achieve 31% of its climate commitment by 2019 and put the country on track for a total coal phaseout by 2030.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.