Demonstrators call for ending Czech coal mining before 2038

Some two dozen people demonstrated outside the government office in Prague on Monday morning calling for the cabinet to halt lignite mining faster than the Coal Commission’s proposed date of 2038. Monday’s demonstration was organized by Greenpeace, Fridays for Future and Huntí Duha.

At a December meeting, 15 of the Coal Commission’s 19 members voted for doing so by the year 2038, while the years 2033 and 2043 were also under consideration. The final decision rests with the Czech government, which is now debating the issue.

The Czech Republic has committed to ending coal mining in a bid to lower greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 versus 1990 levels, and to net-zero by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal policy framework.

Interior Minister Jan Hamáček (Social Democrats) has already called on his party to vote for the fastest exit. Environment Minister Richard Brabec (ANO) and Health Minister Jan Blatný (independent) have taken a similar position.