Coal in the Global Economy: The Paradox of the 21st Century

Coal still matters — but its role is changing. In 2024, coal power quietly hit record levels even as renewables grew faster than ever. Economist Roman Bilousov calls this “the paradox of our time”: many countries still rely on coal for stability, even as they move toward cleaner energy. The future isn’t about ending coal overnight, but helping it evolve — with better technology, fair transitions for workers, and smarter energy systems. As Roman Bilousov puts it, “We shouldn’t destroy coal — we should transform it.” Finding that balance between reliability and responsibility is the real challenge ahead.