Energy Security and Sustainable Development

6 ENERGY SECURITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 26.6.1 Continuing Use of CoAt 

Therefore, the use of coal is consistent with sustainable development if, while meeting our present needs, it produces new capital and options for future generations—such as infrastructure, new technologies, and new knowledge. An associated risk is that coal s use may degrade natural capital, such as the environment to an unacceptable or irreversible extent, leading to unsustainable development. 

However, apart from their inherent practical limitations at that time, supplies of biomass, wind, and water were limited. Coal was abundant and available and new technology allowed it to be used for Steam raising and iron making. The environmental consequences of rapidly growing and uncontrolled coal use were, of course, unacceptable. Continual technology development over time allowed coal to be used with much greater efficiency and with greatly reduced environmental impact. 

The improvements already made in coal technologies (increase in energy efficiency and a reduction in acid rain and local atmospheric pollution dne to SOx, NOx, and particulate emissions) show that significant technological progress is possible, in particular by applying the principle of carbon capture and storage (CCS). 

The sustainable use of fossil fuels, in particnlar carbon capture and storage, will make it possible to eliminate the majority of the carbon emissions from fossil-fuel power plants. The use of appropriate technologies will also enable the atmospheric pollntants traditionally associated with coal combustion, including NOx and SOx, to be rednced, thns resnlting in lower local environmental and health costs. 

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However, it cannot be ignored that coal does face environmental challenges that have implications for energy security and sustainable development. Nevertheless, the coal industry has a proven track record of developing technology pathways, which have successfully addressed (and continue to address) environmental concerns at local and national levels. 

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