Closing coal power, and replacing it with renewable energy, is one of the best things we can do to protect people and our planet. Right now, we have an opportunity to shape how this transformation will happen.

If we get it right, a future beyond coal will mean cleaner air, and healthier people. It will mean renewables powering our towns and cities, and good jobs in regional communities. It will be a future in which we've avoided devastating impacts of climate change — and instead protected people, water, food supplies and natural places. 

There’s a growing body of research into the risks of coal power, and why we need to replace it with cleaner options. Here’s what we know:

• Phasing out coal-fired power stations is one of the best things we can do to address climate change. Australia’s 19 coal-fired power stations are our single largest contributor to the greenhouse gas emissionsX that cause climate change. In order to meet our international obligations to combat climate change, Australia needs to rapidly decrease coal power.  
• Coal power is on its way out. Eleven of Australia’s coal-fired power stations have closed since 2012. The remaining 19 power stations are around 30 years old.X They’re old, expensive to run and increasingly unreliable.X
• Coal-fired power stations put our health at risk, exposing local communities to toxic chemical emissions and risks of health problems.X Sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, mercury, and small particulate matter have all been associated with coal-fired power stations.X
• Renewables are already cheaper to build than coal. An energy transformation is well underway, with thousands of new career opportunities in manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance and clean energy technology R&D. Australia is on track to source 30% of its power from renewable energy this year.X
• Clean energy could be doing so much more, but we need to move quickly. Renewable energy could provide even more of our jobs and power supply if investors had greater certainty. If we want our share of clean energy to grow — and the number of jobs to grow with them — the industry will need clear policy settings from local, state and federal governments. 

As ageing coal power stations become more expensive to maintain and renewables become even cheaper to build, the transformation from coal-fired power stations to clean, renewable energy is underway — but currently, there’s no plan for how this shift will take place. 

Right now, we have a huge opportunity to shape the future. We can ensure the renewable sector develops in a way that empowers regional communities, ensures good pay and conditions for workers, and delivers clean energy for everyone. We can develop strong, thoughtful plans in the communities around coal-fired power stations, and provide certainty about when power stations will close. We can map paths to diversify local economies and create good job opportunities for people who have worked hard to supply our energy to date.

A future beyond coal power could benefit all of us, if we plan it right - and so these conversations need all of us taking part. The sooner we start making plans to support communities as our energy system transforms, the better off everyone will be.

Read more:

• Why moving beyond coal is good for our health
• Why moving beyond coal is needed for climate action
• Why moving beyond coal is an opportunity for our energy mix
• Why moving beyond coal is will generate clean energy jobs
• Why moving beyond coal requires planning for affected communities