Cooked Illustrations’ Post

There often doesn't seem to be much to be hopeful about but we should celebrate this milestone. The comments on this story are very cynical, mainly claiming it's a pointless exercise because there are other countries still building new coal power stations. But this is missing the point. As the first country to industrialise, it's only right that the UK should be a leader in decarbonising. 'The UK was the birthplace of coal power, and from tomorrow it becomes the first major economy to give it up'. #sustainability #decarbonisation #ehs

This is a massive moment - both for the UK and for the work against climate change more generally - and I am not sure it is getting the recognition it deserves! I went to Nottingham University. Easily the most memorable part of every train journey between London and Nottingham was passing Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, with its eight enormous chimneys belching out smoke, fumes and goodness knows what other toxins. I didn't have any particular interest in climate change at that time, but the image of that power plant and the mountains of coal surrounding it are etched in my memory. At just after midnight tonight, Ratcliffe-on-Soar is going to be switched off, which marks the end of coal being used to produce electricity in the UK after some 142 years. The UK was the first country in the world to start using coal to produce grid-scale electricity, and it seems fitting that we are now the first major economy to be rid of it. We have a long way to go when it comes to fully decarbonising our electrical grid, but the pace at which the UK is adopting renewable electricity is amazing and only gathering momentum. This is a huge moment in the story of climate change, and I think we should take the time to celebrate it - the vast work ahead of us notwithstanding. #climatechange #coal #renewables https://lnkd.in/gKf3xpw2

🚨 End of an Era: The UK Closes Its Last Coal-Fired Power Station! 🚨 Today marks a significant milestone as Britain’s only remaining coal power plant at Ratcliffe-on-Soar generates electricity for the last time. This closure brings to a close 142 years of coal-powered energy, dating back to when the UK opened the world’s first coal-fired power station in 1882. This achievement is a testament to the UK’s commitment to phasing out coal power by 2025, signaling strong climate leadership on the global stage. As hosts and advocates for a greener future, we must ask ourselves: how can we inspire more countries to follow suit? 🌍 Hint hint, Australia! 😉 This "just transition" showcases that it's possible to protect workers and communities while transitioning to greener energy sources. The UK's rapid shift away from coal provides valuable lessons for all of us in the fight against climate change. If we work together, a coal-free future is within reach! 🌱 #Sustainability #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition #CoalFree #RenewableEnergy #JustTransition https://lnkd.in/gX6YUwCm

📣 Good News for the Climate! As of today, the UK has become the first major G7 country to end its reliance on coal as a means of producing electricity. As the last coal power station at Ratcliffe-on-Soar closes (142 years after the first one opened in the UK in 1882) we welcome the end of an era in which approximately 4.6bn tonnes of coal were burned, subsequently emitting 10bn tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. In 2012, we were still reliant on coal for 40% of our energy, but in the first half of 2024, renewable sources have made up over half of our energy production. We are delighted that the UK is the first major economy to have taken this important step, demonstrating that reliance on coal is a choice, not a necessity. We call on all other countries to follow this example, moving investments into renewable energy sources and following a clear plan of action to achieve net zero as soon as possible. This is great news, but is merely the beginning of a long road of change - In our Building Blocks manifesto, we detail specific policies and actions for the built environment which, if implemented, would have a marked impact on the reduction of carbon emissions in the UK and restoring our relationship with nature. We urge policy makers and parliamentarians to support and share these suggestions - you can download the manifesto here: https://lnkd.in/dteW6zBp https://lnkd.in/eZ4cJDts #coal #byebyecoal #renewableenergy #renewables #carbonreduction #zerocarbon #emissions #buildingblocks #ukarchitectsdeclare #nature #regenerativefuture #climate #climateaction #energy #energytransition

Today the UK's last coal-fired power station closes - making the UK the first G7 country to end our reliance on coal. Our relationship with coal as a nation over the last 150 years hasn't only been one of utility and emissions- the industrial revolution transformed our economy and brought modernization to every sector. Our coal exports and model of coal-backed growth established our political power and leading position on the global stage. Coal generated prosperity, growth, investment and entire new cities and economic centers. It created jobs and livelihoods, but abhorrent working conditions and the resulting inequality also saw the rise of social welfare, trade unionism and the formation of local community identity - themes still central to our politics and economy today. It made trains possible, it made houses warm, and it enabled war on scales we had never seen. As someone who spends a lot of time reading news like this its all to easy to get caught up in the numbers: the percentages of the fuel mix, the carbon intensities, the forecasts etc, but there's a bigger picture to it all. As we phase in renewables to replace fossil fuels, we have the opportunity to deliver those same benefits that coal brought for a new generation, decoupled from the human cost and the catastrophic emissions. When we look back 140 years from today, will we be able to tell a more positive story about how renewables brought growth, prosperity, the advancement of social rights, the rebuilding of communities, the renewal of our image on the world stage, peace and co-operation of nation states, and the long-term stewardship of our planet's environment and its resources? For our sakes, I hope so https://lnkd.in/edTfxGY6

A historical milestone in human civilization, industry, and the energy sector is upon us. This September marks the planned shutdown of the UK's last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar. This closure represents a significant moment, acknowledging the substantial role the power station has played in the nation's development. Coal, the emblem of the first industrial revolution, is seeing its phase-out, symbolizing the end of an era. In 1882, the Edison Electric Light Station in Holborn, London, made history as the world’s first plant to generate electricity for public use. For decades, coal-fired power plants produced 80% of the UK's electricity until the North Sea boom in the 1990s led to a shift towards gas-fired plants. Over the last decade, the UK's energy strategy has evolved further due to costly carbon taxes and the rise of affordable renewable energy sources. In 2016, the UK government announced a plan to phase out coal power by 2025, a deadline expedited to 2024 in response to environmental pressures. Last year, coal was responsible for just 1% of the power generated in the UK. The closure of Ratcliffe not only marks the end of an era but also signifies the resolution of an industrial decline rooted in historical events like the UK miners’ strikes of 1984-85. Coal power, now recognized as an environmental hazard, poses significant risks to global climate stability. Experts argue that the world needs to accelerate the closure of coal power plants nearly fivefold and halt the construction of new ones to align with the Paris Agreement's climate objectives. For more details, read the full article from The Guardian: https://lnkd.in/du-qPBtw #CoalPhaseOut #IndustrialRevolution #RenewableEnergy #EnvironmentalPolicy #UKEnergyTransition #ClimateAction #SustainableEnergy #HistoricalMilestone #Energytransition

Whatever way you see it and even though it only represents 1% of our energy use in the UK, the last coal power station shutting today is a momentous day in our history. Wish it was our last day of reliance on oil. In the UK we are only on track to make roughly a third of the emissions cuts needed by 2030 (Climate Change Committee 2024 progress report) when the IPCC, renowned world scientists and business leaders all agree that globally we need to cut by 43%. What is your business doing to accelerate success in green house gas reduction? What best practise can you share? https://lnkd.in/eMF4F4qY

End of the Coal Era in the UK 🇬🇧 This month, the UK closes its last coal power plant, ending more than 140 years of coal-fired electricity generation. As the first major economy to do so, the UK sets a powerful precedent for climate action. They were also once the pioneers on using this technology. Key steps that made this possible: - Securing alternative energy sources - Banning new coal plants - Implementing carbon pricing - Setting clear phase-out timelines With plans to fully decarbonize its power sector by 2030, the UK is paving the way for a cleaner, sustainable future. #Sustainability

A milestone in the transition towards green energy in the UK. Whilst larger and developing nations with greater reliance on coal need to follow suit for true global impact, this sets a clear precedent and message for the UK. Naturally this (right) decision is in the greatest interest of reducing global emissions, the just transition and social impact of this closure will affect communities and local economies that must see a green transition and investment too. #NetZero #JustTransition #Carbon #LifeProven

Today marked a landmark day in UK History. Coal—the power behind our industrial revolution—is no longer burned as an energy source on UK shores, ending a 142-year reliance on fossil fuels for energy. The closure of our last coal plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, near Nottingham, highlights the UK's commitment to a sustainable future- particularly when coupled with the announcement that we are sourcing more energy than ever from Wind, Solar, Hydro, and Wave power. The government's drive towards a greener future is exceptionally positive; however, many businesses risk being left behind by the speed of this transition. Few SMEs have a clear sustainability plan or an understanding of ESG. Here at Gofor we're more than just a fleet management provider and salary sacrifice partner. We strive to be consultative, helping your business to understand decarbonisation through the lens of electrification and EV Salary Sacrifice, as referenced in our recent whitepaper. (Link in the comments.) If you have any questions about sustainability, EV Salary sacrifice, or fleet electrification, don't hesitate to contact me or the team. https://lnkd.in/eJwMtt-s