U.N. Silences Critics, Bans Coal-Supporting Economies

Japan, South Africa, and Australia have been denied a platform to speak at next week’s international climate summit, as their support for coal contradicts U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres's personal drive for a global emergency on climate change.

However some coal-loving countries such as China and India, the world’s two biggest builders of new coal stations, have been given special leeway to speak, according to the draft agenda seen by the Times. South Korea will also be there.

News reports indicate that China and India are both ramping up coal-fired generation capacity despite environmental concerns globally. A story on the QuartzIndia website cited India Ratings and Research figures showing that nation importing up to 73 million metric tons of coal in the current fiscal year ending March 2020.