Climate change campaigning groups have welcomed the Scottish Government’s opposition to new coal extraction.

The Scottish Government confirmed that “coal exploitation is a matter reserved to the UK Government, and the Coal Authority is responsible for licensing coal mining activity in Scotland. However, planning policy and determinations are devolved to the Scottish Government.”

And it continues:

The responses to the call for evidence, and the independent analysis report, are both publicly available. Having considered stakeholders’ views and the evidence received alongside wider Scottish Government energy and climate change policies, our preferred policy position is no support for coal extraction in Scotland. 

Coal extraction: preferred policy position

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s head of campaigns Mary Church said:

“It is the right decision for the Scottish Government to want to shut the door on coal once and for all. Climate science is clear that there is no space for any new fossil fuels, let alone the most polluting coal, if we are to avoid truly catastrophic warming. This announcement should spell the end for New Age Exploration’s deep coal extraction ambitions in Dumfries and Galloway. It’s simply not reasonable to be contemplating opening new coal mines, given the climate emergency. It’s time for Westminster to put an end to coal too, starting by finally rejecting the proposal for a new coal mine in Cumbria

“At this stage in the climate crisis there is no time left for any new fossil fuels of any kind, so the forthcoming Energy Strategy must also chart a clear path for Scotland to phase out oil and gas within the decade. The Scottish Government must seize this opportunity to ensure a fast and fair transition to a reliable, affordable energy system powered by renewables and run in the public interest.”

Click on this link for Scottish Government Call for Evidence on Coal Extraction – Analysis of Responses

From 1 October 2024 Britain will no longer use coal to generate electricity.