• Latest additions build momentum for ambition on the coal-to-clean transition in Belem

Belém, Brazil, 17th November 2025 - Today at the UN Climate Summit COP30, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Bahrain joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), a global coalition of over 180 national and subnational governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy. This announcement further demonstrates momentum in discussions on how to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels at COP30.

The Republic of Korea currently operates the 7th largest coal fleet in the world. The share of coal generation has decreased from 42.5% in 2015 to 30.5% in 2024 but still represents a significant source of emissions, and several new coal units have only begun operation in the last few years.

By joining the PPCA, the Korean government has officially announced, for the first time, its commitment to stop building new unabated coal power plants and phasing out existing and unabated coal power plants. Out of 61 existing coal power plants, 40 coal power plants are confirmed to phase out by 2040. The phase out date for the remaining 21 coal power plants will be determined based on economic and environmental feasibility after public discussion, and a specific plan is scheduled to be established next year. The Alliance will support the Korean government in accelerating the phase-out of coal in a way that leaves no worker or community behind and increases economic growth and energy security.

The Korean government has also pledged to work with other members of the PPCA to advance the coal-to-clean transition globally. The Republic of Korea is the second country in Asia to join the PPCA and will play a key role in supporting the transition away from coal power in the Asia-Pacific region.

Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, Republic of Korea said:

“By joining the PPCA, we are demonstrating the Republic of Korea’s commitment to accelerating a just and clean energy transition. Through the Alliance, we will kickstart our coal phase-out, as well as help the Alliance advance the coal transition worldwide. The shift from coal to clean power is not only essential for the climate. It will also help both the Republic of Korea, and all other countries increase our energy security, boost the competitiveness of our businesses, and create thousands of jobs in the industries of the future.”

Republic of Korea’s heavily industrialised and export-focused economy will gain a competitive advantage, making it a more attractive place for businesses around the world to invest, as they increasingly seek zero-carbon power. Coal phase-out will also help the country save billions of dollars in energy imports, as almost all of the country’s coal is imported, making it the fourth largest coal importer in the world. For these reasons, according to a recent opinion poll, 99% of Korean business executives wanted a shift from fossil-based to renewables-based electricity and 92% supported the phase-out of coal specifically within a decade.

Katie White, Minister for Climate, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, United Kingdom and PPCA Co-chair, said:

“This is a critical point in the global transition away from coal, which is why it’s great to have the Republic of Korea and Bahrain on board with the PPCA – demonstrating true climate leadership. By taking this ambitious step, they can reap the rewards that we are seeing from our own clean energy transition, creating new jobs and driving economic growth."

Another country joining the PPCA today is Bahrain, which has never had any coal power plants and has committed to not build any in the future. The government of Bahrain has also pledged to work with other members of the PPCA to advance the coal-to-clean transition globally.

Major real-world progress has been made on the coal-to-clean transition, but at the same time, further action is urgently needed to keep the Paris Agreement goals in reach. At this COP, the PPCA has launched a new Plan to Accelerate Coal Transitions, laying out concrete, actionable steps to do just that, aiming to foster consensus on how to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels among countries gathered at COP30.

Moreover, on 19th November, the Coal Transition Commission will release two technical reports that will offer evidence-based solutions and lessons learned to identify opportunities to scale the pipeline of coal retirement projects as well as assess the supplementary role of flexible operation of specific coal plants in some emerging markets.

ENDS

More information about PPCA activities and events at the COP can be found here: https://poweringpastcoal.org/cop30/

Anna Drazkiewicz, PPCA Communications Manager, 00 32 487 32 45 62, anna.drazkiewicz@poweringpastcoal.org.

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change.          

For media inquiries, please reach out to Antonette Tagnipez in Brazil at antonette.tagnipez@forourclimate.org or Yi Hyun Kim yihyun.kim@forourclimate.org.