A major new report unveiled at COP30 says the world can accelerate the phase-out of coal if governments move fast to convert old plants into clean energy projects.

The report, Growing the Pipeline of Coal-to-Clean Projects, shows momentum is building in countries from France to Indonesia as they race to replace coal with renewables, storage and new grid infrastructure.

The findings land at a crucial moment. Coal still drives around 36% of global electricity yet must fall to near zero by 2040 to stay aligned with 1.5°C pathways.

The report argues that conversion is quicker than demolition and rebuild. Repurposing sites cuts costs, keeps workers in local jobs and reuses transmission links that would otherwise take years to replace.

France is highlighted as an early mover. The country shut its last coal plant in 2024 and is now converting sites into solar, battery storage and hydrogen hubs.

Indonesia is also pushing ahead with coal-to-clean projects after securing international finance deals that reward early retirement of coal units.

The global pipeline of conversion projects has grown by more than 50% in two years. The report says this shows governments and investors see coal-to-clean as the fastest route to decarbonisation.

One of the report’s key warnings is that conversion relies on strong national commitments and stable policy.

Governments need clear coal retirement schedules, grid investment plans and financial tools that make early closure more attractive than continued operation.

The authors say that without these measures projects will stall.

They warn this decade is critical because global coal fleets are ageing rapidly and operators need clear signals on whether to reinvest or retire.

Workforce transition is a central theme. The report stresses the urgency of retraining and redeploying workers to avoid community collapse.

It says governments must deliver “credible plans that protect jobs and build new industrial clusters on former coal sites” while supporting local supply chains.

Financing is the other major barrier.

The report calls for blended public and private finance to bring down costs for emerging markets. It highlights that every £1 invested in coal-to-clean conversion avoids more than £3 in climate and health damages.

The authors deliver a clear message. The world can move faster if it prioritises coal conversion as a core climate tool not a niche option.

COP30 leaders say coal-to-clean is now central to global energy diplomacy. They argue that 2030 targets will only be met if nations scale up the pipeline from hundreds of projects to thousands.

The report says the next five years will determine whether coal decline is orderly and clean or chaotic and costly.

The world has the tools to choose the first path. The question is whether governments will act in time.