UK Edition
Cumbria coal mine could break Paris Agreement, leading climate scientists tell Boris Johnson
Mine in conflict with the UK’s obligation to try and limit global warming to 1.5C, experts say
The UK’s first deep coal mine in decades leaves Britain at risk of breaking the Paris Agreement if it goes ahead, leading climate scientists have told Boris Johnson.
Lars Nilsson, a professor at Lund University who contributed to the latest report from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is one of 13 experts to have written to the prime minister calling for him to intervene to stop the £165m West Cumbria coal mine.
The mine was approved last year by Cumbria County Council, and will supply coking coal for steel production in the UK and for export before it closes by 2049.
But critics say it will undermine the UK’s efforts to reach net zero by 2050 and its role as a climate change leader ahead of Cop26. The Government’s climate change advisers, the CCC, have criticised the decision by Robert Jenrick, the housing secretary, to decline to intervene in the matter, on the grounds that it was a local issue for Cumbria.
In the letter to the prime minister, 13 international climate and energy experts say it is also in conflict with the UK’s obligation to try and limit global warming to 1.5C, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
“In order to limit global average temperature rises to 1.5°C, global emissions must peak by 2030 (sooner for the UK and other industrialised nations) and then decline rapidly after this date,” the letter says.
“It is clearly inconsistent for the UK government to claim that development of a coal mine, intended to fuel emissions for almost 3 decades, is not a matter for national consideration,” it adds.
The group, which gave evidence to Cumbria County Council during the original planning process, also say the mine is incompatible with legal commitments to reach net zero under the Climate Change Act.
The Government has defended the mine on the basis that it reduces the need for imports to supply the British steel industry, though the CCC say 85 per cent of the coking coal will be exported and have called for the UK to phase out its use by 2035.
The local Conservative Mayor has also praised the mine for the jobs it will bring to the area.
Signatories to the letter, which include leading resource economist Paul Ekins, argue that the mine will reduce incentives for industry to develop alternative sources for steel and recycle its current stock.