GE Get Out of Coal - Take Action

GE has been planning
to build new dirty coal power plants all over the world.

Take action to get them to dump dirty coal
in favour of clean, renewable energy.

As the world strives for a safe climate, giant multinational General Electric is expanding coal power, one of the largest drivers of global warming.

September 22, 2020: GE has announced that it “intends to exit the new build coal power market”.

It stated in its press release that “GE’s Steam Power business will work with customers on existing obligations as it pursues this exit, which may include divestitures, site closings, job impacts and appropriate considerations for publicly held subsidiaries.”

We need to confirm what GE means by this announcement, and ensure that it exits every one of the 15 coal power stations it is trying to equip (by providing boilers, steam turbine generation systems, or other products) across 14 countries. GE also states it will continue to assist existing clients service coal power projects, which would prolong the coal power industry. GE needs to transition away from coal entirely to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement, which it claims to support.

See the letter dated October 14, 2020 from NGOs in countries where GE was expanding coal power, seeking clarification on GE’s “coal exit.”

See Market Forces’ media release dated September 22, 2020 on this development.

Coal power is outdated, directly threatening people’s health and livelihoods through local pollution impacts, while fueling the climate crisis impacting people and ecosystems the world over.

It’s time for GE to use its imagination and stop supporting outdated, polluting energy and start building a cleaner, safer future.

We’re asking GE to:

Confirm a timetable to end any further efforts to expand the coal sector by restructuring existing business, including the 15 coal power projects currently in development, away from coal power towards renewable energy and working with its power sector clients to shift planned additional power capacity to renewables.
implement a phase out plan to shift coal power capacity to renewable energy in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement, which includes working with clients to retire and replace existing fossil fuel projects with renewable energy and implementing a transition plan for its workers.

Read the letter from NGOs in countries where GE is expanding coal power, telling GE’s CEO to get out of coal and support renewable energy

Send a message to GE (post announcement)

Tell them to dump dirty coal in favour of clean renewable energy

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Dear Mr. Culp: I applaud GE on its announcement this week that it “intends to exit the new build coal power market”. However, I would like more clarity on what this announcement means for the pipeline of 15 coal power plants around the world that GE is involved in. These 15 coal power plants would enable close to 12 GW of coal power to come online. This enormous coal power expansion could prove catastrophic to global efforts to contain climate change. I urge GE to set a clear timetable for withdrawal from these projects, and work with clients and communities to transition to renewable energy. The coal power stations proposed across 14 countries raise a myriad of environmental and social risks - from a lack of compensation for land acquired, destruction of livelihoods of local communities, poorer health due to air pollution and harm done to our shared climate. GE’s continued support of coal power through its existing client relationships in servicing coal power projects undermines efforts to limit global warming in accordance with the climate goals of the Paris agreement. According to experts, we need to be out of all coal by 2040 to meet these climate goals. GE is also acting against its own longer-term interest by continuing involvement in coal power instead of focusing on its renewable energy business. GE is yet to announce a timetable to exit from new coal power projects, and has not indicated which projects it will exit from. Further, by continuing its support for servicing coal power plants, GE is further exposing itself to transition risks associated with climate change, including technology and regulatory changes, and the potential for reputational costs. In many of the countries where GE is continuing to support the expansion of coal power, coal power is or will soon be more costly than renewable energy, creating a stranded asset risk. There is no space for new coal power if we want to ensure a liveable planet. While this is an excellent first step, we urge GE to demonstrate leadership and innovation. I urge you to clarify your intentions to withdraw from new coal projects, including the 15 coal power projects you are currently linked to and support your clients in a shift to renewable energy. Sincerely,
Of course I want to stay informed about this campaign!
- Yes

About this campaign

GEt out of coal is an initiative of Market Forces, an affiliate project of Friends of the Earth Australia.

GE has been planning to build new dirty coal power plants all over the world.

As the world strives for a safe climate, giant multinational General Electric is expanding coal power, one of the largest drivers of global warming.

Send a message to GE (post announcement)

About this campaign

Spread the Word

GE has been planning
to build new dirty coal power plants all over the world.