Some scientists describe coal as the enemy of humankind because burning coal causes air pollution. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) demanded to cease financing coal mining industry. Banks, capital managers, insurance companies, and industrial firms are quitting the sector. A report by UK-based Economist Intelligence Unit says Europe’s demands for coal are falling sharply. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast the share of coal consumption in Europe will reduce to only 12% by 2030.

The UK, France, Finland, Austria, and Portugal are pioneers in phasing out coal in their national energy policies, cutting investment in coal industry, and closing coal power plants. Finland, who leads the world in solar and wind energy use, gets only 8 % energy from coal, while renewable and nuclear energy account for 45% and 35% respectively. The UK has shut down its coal power plants and shifted to utilizing natural gas or wind energy and only 9% of its energy depends on coal.

The European Union aims to increase renewable energy use from the current 8.5% to 20% by 2020 and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The EU applies an emissions trading scheme, under which industrial companies have to buy emissions quotas by 2020, except for metallurgy, cement, and chemical industry. The EC has put forth an energy package with committed support for areas dependant on coal.

The European Globalization Adjustment Fund provides support to people losing their jobs as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalization. The Fund has a maximum annual budget of 150 million euros between 2014 and 2020. During the period, the European Social Fund will allocate its 1.1 billion euros to support the improving of employment and social inclusion in energy and environment. The EC also boosts R&D of clean energy.