Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, countries around the world have been phasing out coal-fired power in record numbers. Once the backbone of industrial economies, coal is now being retired for cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable energy sources.

What happened: Ireland became the eighth country to wean itself off coal since 2015. In June, the country shuttered its 915-megawatt Moneypoint coal-fired power plant. It became the 15th country in Europe to have coal-free power.

It’s a growing trend

More than half of coal plants in the US are slated for closure by 2030. Canada will be virtually coal-free by then. And while China continues to build coal-fired power plants to fuel its industrial growth, a buildout of renewables, gas and nuclear has the country ahead of its 2030 peak coal goal.

Looking ahead: The global coal retreat is real, but it’s not equal. Rich countries are shutting plants while poorer nations still rely on them.

India, Asia’s next growing superpower, is still overwhelmingly reliant on coal, with the fossil fuel’s share of electricity generation growing from 69% in 2000 to 75% in 2024.

+Bonus infographic: The Demise of Coal