By Bunmi Yekini, Belem, Brazil
South Korea and Bahrain on Monday joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), reinforcing momentum at COP30 toward accelerating a global shift away from fossil fuels.
South Korea, which operates the world’s seventh-largest coal fleet, committed for the first time to stop building new unabated coal plants and to phase out existing ones. Coal’s share in the country’s power mix has fallen from 42.5% in 2015 to 30.5% in 2024, but emissions remain high, with several new units commissioned in recent years.
Under its new pledge, Seoul confirmed that 40 of its 61 coal plants will retire by 2040. The timeline for the remaining 21 units will be set after an economic and environmental assessment and public consultations, with a detailed plan expected next year. The PPCA will support the transition to ensure no worker or community is left behind.
South Korea becomes the second Asian country to join the PPCA, a coalition of more than 180 governments, businesses and organisations pushing to end unabated coal power. Officials say the move positions the country as a key player in driving clean-energy transition efforts across the Asia-Pacific.
“By joining the PPCA, we are demonstrating the Republic of Korea’s commitment to accelerating a just and clean energy transition,” said Kim Sung-hwan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. “The shift from coal to clean power is essential for the climate and will also boost energy security, competitiveness and job creation.”
South Korea’s export-driven economy, heavily dependent on imported coal, could save billions of dollars as it pivots to renewable energy. A recent poll shows broad private-sector support: 99% of business executives favour a shift to renewable electricity, and 92% support phasing out coal within a decade.
Katie White, the UK’s Minister for Climate and PPCA co-chair, welcomed the announcements. “This is a critical point in the global transition away from coal,” she said. “By taking this ambitious step, they can reap the rewards we are seeing from our own clean energy transition.”
Bahrain also joined the alliance, formalising its commitment never to build coal power plants and to work with global partners to advance the coal-to-clean transition.
The announcements come as the PPCA unveils a new Plan to Accelerate Coal Transitions, part of the COP30 Presidency’s Action Agenda. The plan outlines concrete steps for countries to hasten fossil-fuel phase-outs and build consensus on pathways to clean energy.
Further technical guidance will follow on Nov. 19, when the Coal Transition Commission releases two reports assessing coal-retirement opportunities and the role of flexible plant operation in emerging markets.
The PPCA will formally announce South Korea’s membership on Nov. 17 at a high-level COP30 event in the Blue Zone.