Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent assessment she has made of the environmental effects of importing coal.

The import and export of commodities such as coal contributes to competition and security of supply, which has benefits for energy consumers. In 2014, around 80% of the coal consumed in the UK was imported, with the remainder mined domestically. Electricity generators accounted for 80% of total coal use in 2014 [1]. The decision on where to source their fuel is a commercial decision for the operators of power stations.

The carbon emissions associated with the transport of imported coal will depend on its country of origin. However, when considered alongside the carbon emitted over the life cycle of the coal, we would expect transport emissions to be a small proportion of the total.

[1] DECC Energy Trends March 2015 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/415976/ET_Mar_15.PDF