Accounting for two-thirds of global primary energy use, cities are at the forefront of the global energy transition. They are also significantly impacted by air pollution from coal. Of the current global coal fleet, 68% is located within 500 km of at least one C40 city, contributing to premature deaths and ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.enerjigazetesi.ist\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/komurlu-santraller-kentlerde-ceyrek-milyon-erken-olume-neden-olabilir.jpg\")
lifelong health conditions.<\/p>\n
This report provides compelling evidence of the adverse impact of coal-fired electricity generation on our planet, health, jobs and the economy. Here are the main takeaways:<\/span><\/p>\n – Coal is deadly for cities.<\/b>\u00a0Due to air pollution from coal-fired power plants, an estimated 264,900 people could die prematurely between 2020 and 2030 in 61 C40 cities.1<\/sup>\u00a0Read the\u00a0Annexes & Methodology document<\/a>\u00a0for a detailed technical explanation of the report\u2019s numbers.<\/p>\n – Coal affects all aspects of C40 residents\u2019 health,<\/b>\u00a0contributing to 121,100 preterm births, 93,600 new asthma cases among children and 247,900 asthma emergency visits in the same cities from 2020 to 2030.<\/p>\n – The economic costs of this health burden are significant.<\/b>\u00a0These premature deaths from coal power could cost the 61 cities US $877 billion from 2020 to 2030, with the cost of work absences from health issues estimated at US $10 billion.<\/p>\n – It does not have to be this way.<\/b>\u00a0Renewable energy is already cheaper than operating coal in half of the countries modelled, and costs continue to decrease.\u00a0Cities can deliver a green, just and prosperous future<\/b>\u00a0by rapidly phasing out coal and replacing it with renewable, zero-carbon technologies.<\/p>\n