Korea’s Coal Phaseout Could Trigger a Seismic Shift in Asian Energy Trade

After decades of reliance on coal, South Korea has announced plans to close all coal-fired power plants by 2040. For Australia, this signals a likely steep decline in its coal exports in the coming decades, as one of its main trade partners reduces its coal use. The Australian government is now preparing for a fall in its coal exports, as South Korea, the third-biggest importer of Australian coal, plans to shift away from the “dirtiest fossil fuel”. Australia expects to export around $1.5 billion worth of thermal coal to South Korea…