Czech health minister backs coal mining phase-out ‘as soon as possible’

(EurActiv, 19 Jan 2021) Czech health minister Jan Blatný is aware of the negative impacts of coal mining on the environment and human health. “Personally, I am in favour of a coal mining phase-out as soon as possible,” he told EURACTIV.cz.

The Czech government will discuss plans to phase out coal next week. A special coal commission already recommended in December to close down coal mines and power plants by 2038, but the final decision is up to the government.

However, the Czech governing cabinet formed by the ruling ANO party of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and junior partner Social Democrats (ČSSD) is divided over this issue.

While industry and trade minister Karel Havlíček (ANO) supports a coal phase-out by 2038, environment minister Richard Brabec (ANO) thinks the Czech Republic should get rid of coal five years earlier. Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček (ČSSD) also supported the end of coal use by 2033.

“Tolerating coal until 2038 is nonsense. At the cabinet meeting, I will oppose the idea of coal phase-out to be done 17 years from now,” Petříček said.

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EurActiv, 19 Jan 2021: Czech health minister backs coal mining phase-out ‘as soon as possible’