Policy advocacy

We advocate for policy that secures the managed phase out of coal from UK industries, and end the UK’s support for global coal extraction and use. Westminster has devolved some powers to Scotland and Wales, which means we work with the Welsh, Scottish, and UK parliaments to secure the policies we need to lock out coal. This is essential to protect our global climate, and discourage a swing back to coal in response to geopolitical events.

Welsh Government

We’ve been engaging with the Welsh Government and Senedd on strengthening its coal policies. Once it was ahead of the UK and Scottish Governments, but now it is increasingly being left behind.

Scottish Government

We inputted to the Scottish Government ahead of its planning consultation, contributing to its de facto coal mining ban.

UK Government

After we secured a manifesto commitment from the Labour Party ahead of the 2025 UK election, we are now engaging with the UK Government to deliver a comprehensive ban on coal mining.

Policy updates and news

Welsh Government & Local Council respond to CCEIC’s recommendations

In May 2023, Coal Action Network wrote to the Climate Change, Energy, and Infrastructure Committee (CCEIC) of the Welsh Senedd,…

The end of coal power in the UK – how we got here, what’s still needed?

The end of coal power in the UK – how we got here, what’s still needed? Smoke filled the sky…

Take action – let planners say no to new coal mining

Take action – let planners say no to new coal mining TAKE ACTION The public consultation window for the National…

Senedd Committee reports ‘Missed Opportunities’ in Restoring Nature at Opencast Coal Mines in Wales

The Senedd’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee (CCEIC) has released a critical report on the management of opencast coal…

UK election 2024: Parties line up to ban more coal mining

UK election 2024: Parties line up to ban more coal mining FIVE political parties’ manifestos rule out new coal mines…

Email your election candidate

Coal Action Network asked Who will stop coal? last weekend in Whitehaven, West Cumbria. At the site of the proposed…

Welsh position on a coal ban needs to change

On 23 October 2023, over 30 Wales-based NGOs, businesses, and community groups signed an open letter to Wales’ Climate Change…

Coalition backing a coal mining ban in Wales

Over 30 Welsh NGOs and businesses have signed a letter to Welsh Minister Julie James and Deputy Minister Lee Waters,…

New vacancy: Policy Change Campaigner

You will create and deliver a political strategy to secure a moratorium (ban) on all forms of coal mining in…

Energy Bill – cut out coal!

With a margin of 3 votes (197 for vs 194 against) in the House of Lords on 17th April 2023,…

Santa delivers Christmas coal to Gove for Whitehaven approval

On Wednesday (21/12/2022) a gang of Santas delivered sacks of ‘naughty list coal’ to Michael Gove at his Department of…

Informal briefing to Welsh Government on Aberpergwm and Welsh coal

On the 30th November Coal Action Network held an event in the Welsh Parliament highlighting the issues with Aberpergwm underground…

We don’t need to set fire to our future to keep warm this winter

We sometimes hear from people that they are worried coal may be a necessary evil to keep us warm this…

“Scotland … has drawn a line, the era of coal is over”

The Scottish government has stated that the “era of coal is over”. Lorna Slater, Co-leader of the Scottish Greens, announced…

Coal extraction – call for evidence

oth Wales and Scotland has a long legacy of suffering the localised impacts of environmental blight and hazardous conditions of…

Energy capacity market consultation response

We are concerned that the 2024 coal phase-out date is being used by the UK Government to deflect criticism for…