Coal association disappointed BHP has decided to leave

THE World Coal Association (WCA) was disappointed BHP had decided to leave the organisation which insisted it favoured a balanced approach that integrated climate and energy policies, said Reuters, citing Benjamin Sporton, CEO of the WCA.

The Australian-headquartered group said it was leaving the WCA owing to differences on climate change, but that it would remain a member of the US Chamber of Commerce. This was after BHP quit most of its mining for power plants; it remains, however, a miner of metallurgical coal which is used in the manufacture of steel.

 

According to Reuters, BHP came under pressure from Australian green groups last year to leave any industry associations with policies that fail to match the company’s support of the 2015 Paris climate accord. “In light of the material difference identified by the review and the narrow range of activities of benefit to BHP from membership, BHP has reached a final view that it will cease membership of the WCA,” it said in a statement.

“The WCA’s position has always been clear; we support a balanced approach that integrates climate and energy policy that works towards a low emission future,” said Sporton. “We believe a balanced approach should not exclude high efficiency, low emissions power generation and carbon capture and storage,” he said.