World Coal Association

From Global Energy Monitor

The World Coal Association (WCA) is a global lobby group for "major international coal producers and stakeholders" with membership open "to companies and not-for-profit organisations with a stake in the future of coal from anywhere in the world, with member companies represented at Chief Executive level."[1]

An earlier version of the group's website described itself as "the only international body working on a worldwide basis on behalf of the coal industry."[2]

Name changes

The WCA was founded in September 1985 as The International Coal Development Institute. In 1988 the name was changed to World Coal Institute in 1988 and World Coal Association in 2010.[1]

Objectives

On its website the WCI stated, in a May 2008 version of its website which is no longer available online, that its objectives were to:

  • "Deepen and broaden understanding amongst policy makers and key stakeholders of the positive role of coal in addressing global warming, widespread poverty in developing countries, and energy security."
  • "Assist in the creation of a political climate supportive of action by governments to include:
-Carbon capture & storage (CCS) in climate mitigation strategies and plans;
-Clean coal technologies (CCT) in environmental strategies;
-Coal to liquids technologies (CTL), with CCS, in energy security considerations; and
-Coal in national and regional energy portfolios.
  • "Inform and educate communities of the benefits of coal, the contribution that can be made through CCS and CCT, and the constructive role played by the coal industry in improving its environmental performance, and strengthening social and economic development."
  • "Support improved performance in mine safety globally."[2]

The current version of the group's website states that:

"The coal industry, including both internationally traded and domestic coal, needs to present a united front to the challenges it faces this decade and beyond. The orthodoxy that views coal only as a CO2 emitter - without regard to its role in economic and social development, essential to electricity generation and steel manufacture - may be at a turning point. However, the industry needs to cooperate to ensure that this turning point occurs. For that reason, the WCA has adopted a forward looking strategy that aims to position:
  • coal as a strategic resource that is widely recognised as essential for a modern quality of life, a key contributor to sustainable development, and an essential element in enhanced energy security; and
  • the coal industry as a progressive industry that is recognised as committed to technological innovation and improved environmental outcomes within the context of a balanced and responsible energy mix."[1]

Protests against WCI

March 26, 2009: DC Rising Tide disrupts CTL conference in Washington, DC

DC Rising Tide Crashes Coal Conference

Activists with DC Rising Tide interrupted an industry conference to denounce coal-to-liquids technologies. The protesters stood in the audience and gave loud speeches refuting the statements of executives from Chevron, CONSOL Energy, World Coal Institute, and World Petroleum Council. Displaying banners including "Coal kills" and "Renewable energy now," the activists called for an end to fossil fuels and for adoption of clean, renewable energy sources.[3]

Members

WCI has both member companies and member trade associations which, as of May 2008, are[4]:

Member Companies

Member Trade Associations

CEO's

Contact Details

5th Floor, Heddon House
149 - 151 Regent Street
London
W1B 4JD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 207 851 0052
Email: info AT worldcoal.org
Website: http://www.worldcoal.org

Articles and Resources

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 World Coal Association, "World Coal Association", World Coal Association website, accessed April 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "About WCI", World Coal Institute website, accessed May 2008. (This page is no longer available online and has not been archived in the Internet archive).
  3. "DC Rising Tide Disrupts Coal-to-Liquids Conference," It's Getting Hot in Here, March 26, 2009.
  4. "WCI Members", World Coal Institute website, accessed May 2008.

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