LEADERSHIP
38 with Asia , as well as Africa , proves key . Sporton notes that the world , while focusing on climate change , should not disregard these emerging economies and the role coal will play in this emergence . “ There are those in the industry that think it ’ s on the way out ,” he says . “ But then you look at Asia and Africa – they recognise that coal is key to the growth of their economies and so we have to stimulate that conversation and work out a way forward .
“ These countries need financing from organisations like that of The World Bank to be able to afford the best technologies that reduce carbon emissions . Our challenge is to continue to open those doors , change the perception of coal and show that it can be in fact a key contributor to that low carbon economy .”
It hasn ’ t all been hurdles and obstacles in the path to changing this perception of coal . Sporton can point to some key milestones representing an industry ready to change . A key turning point for him was the lead up to the Paris Agreement . WCA worked with countries that have identified coal as key to their
NOVEMBER 2018