'Coal demand to fall by 2030'

GLOBAL COAL USE has hit a ceiling and is set to begin a slow decline over the next five years as renewables and liquefied natural gas gain ground, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.

- STEPHEN STAPCZYNSKI

Demand is expected to edge up 0.5% this year to a record 8,845 million tons before slipping 3% by 2030, according to the IEA's annual coal report published Wednesday.