October 15, 2025 - Queensland, the Australian state that exports about one-eighth of the world’s coal, has said it plans to keep its power stations that burn the fossil fuel open for longer, threatening the nation’s ambitious goal to more than double renewable generation by the end of the decade.

The former government’s “ideological decision to close coal units by 2035, regardless of their condition, is officially abolished,” Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki said in a statement. “Queensland’s coal-fired fleet is the youngest in the country and state-owned coal generators will continue to operate for as long as they are needed in the system and supported by the market.”

The move comes as global coal consumption rises to a record year after year, despite efforts to boost deployment of renewables and curb emissions. President Donald Trump has led a push to prop up the industry, while other major polluters such as China and India also continue to dig up more of the dirtiest fossil fuel.