Studie des WWF, 5.7.2016 (engl. Originalfassung)
Coal is a polluting and harmful power source. Emissions from coal plants damage our health, contribute to climate change and cost society a great deal of money. Despite this, as of the end of 2015 there were 280 coal-fired power plants operating in the European Union, providing around 24% of our electricity. Airpollutant emissions data is available for 257 of these coal plants for 2013, the most recent year recorded.
The atmosphere does not care where CO2 is emitted - it ends up distributed fairly evenly, causing global climate change. Air pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants do not travel globally, but they do travel hundreds of kilometres. Burning coal creates toxic particles of fine dust, which can be carried a long way away from the power plant, beyond the borders of the countries where the plants are situated. People living nowhere near a coal plant can inhale these particles and suffer the health consequences.
The cross-border impact of coal pollution means that each plant closed provides a major boost for the health not only of those living nearby but also for citizens in neighbouring countries, as well as practically everyone across the continent.
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