The Trump administration and state regulators have thrown a lifeline to the owners of two coal-fired power plants in Indiana and Armstrong counties.

Global fossil fuel emissions are likely to decrease by 0.4% in 2026, according to new research by the Global Carbon Project, an annual report that tracks trends in global carbon emissions.

Outside China, the world’s use of coal has barely changed since the late 1980s. It was just over 20,000 terawatt-hours back then, and almost four decades later, it is still the same.

In its role as president of negotiations at the UN climate talks in Turkey, Australia is being pressured to guide nations toward unified action on slashing the greenhouse gas emissions that are generated in large part by burning fossil fuels.

Winter heating needs and expensive natural gas are supporting thermal coal demand, creating opportunities for exporters and dry-bulk shipping. However, stronger coal consumption will not necessarily produce a comparable increase in ocean freight demand.

We updated our Coal Markets Report for the business week ending November 6, 2026.