What happened
Urgewald has released its annual Global Coal Exit List, a public database covering companies active across the coal-power value chain. The database includes more than 1,500 parent companies and 1,150 subsidiaries.
The update comes as Türkiye prepares to host COP31 in Antalya and Australia is expected to lead the negotiations. The report’s supporters argue that both countries need to take tangible steps away from coal during the COP31 process.
In Türkiye, coal accounted for 34% of electricity generation in 2025. Wind and solar together accounted for 22%. A court annulled the environmental impact assessment decision for additional units at the Afşin-Elbistan A coal plant, but the ministry has appealed. Separately, a 1,050 MW coal-fired unit is proposed for the Cenal power plant in Çanakkale.
Australia has 49 planned thermal-coal mining projects or expansions, including 20 at new mining sites. The New South Wales government has approved an extension of two open-cut mines under the Hunter Valley Operations project. The proposal could produce about 429 million tonnes of coal, subject to a final federal government decision.
Why it matters
For energy companies and communities in Türkiye, the figures underline the continuing importance of coal in the power system while renewable generation is expanding. Decisions on proposed coal capacity, and any future commitment to stop new plants, would affect investment choices in the sector.
Campaigners are calling for Türkiye to pair a commitment against new coal plants with a just-transition plan for leaving coal. They argue that this would give substance to the country’s climate leadership role at COP31.
What's next
The ministry’s appeal over Afşin-Elbistan A will determine the status of the cancelled environmental decision. The Cenal unit remains a proposed project. In Australia, the Hunter Valley Operations expansion requires federal approval and, if it proceeds, mine operations would continue until 2045.
On 7 October 2026, Australia’s High Court invalidated permission for the Mount Pleasant mine expansion because emissions from coal burned overseas had not been considered.
