The State of Coal Regulation Around the World: Insights from the United States, China, Germany and India

Coal made the Industrial Revolution possible and, at the start of the 21st century, it is still a dominant source of energy globally. However, coal combustion leads to significant air and water pollution, as well as carbon dioxide emissions, which are the leading driver of climate change. The future of coal will be determined by how quickly and seriously countries work to address public health concerns and make the transition to low-carbon development. The experiences of major economies such as the United States, China, Germany and India provide useful insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by a transition away from coal to cleaner forms of energy. This chapter summarizes the current policy and regulatory context in these countries, with a special emphasis on the US.