Coal is the most polluting source of energy.

It accounts for around 25 percent of energy-related CO2 emissions worldwide.

The three main consumers of coal are: China (50 percent), India (11 percent) and the European Union (6 percent).

A coal exit is difficult because of energy security issues and employment concerns.

However, energy-related air pollution continues to cause millions of premature deaths each year.

In his post in Die Zeit, FEEM researcher Simone Tagliapietra calls for action in support of the decarbonisation of electricity production, and suggests how to switch off coal without forgetting the workers.