COP26: Numerous countries commit to coal phaseout

The European Union has proposed a ban on imports of Russian coal, as the bloc expands sanctions on Moscow. But how important is coal to the EU's energy mix? Also in the show: Elon Musk officially joins the board of directors of Twitter, after becoming the platform's single biggest shareholder.

Coal producers in South Africa try to recover some of the market share lost by Russia following Europe's sanctions. Some of them last traded with the continent more than a decade ago. Also, the Central African Republic makes Bitcoin its official currency alongside the CFA franc, but the move is raising eyebrows in a country with little internet access. And we take you to the Paris Saint-Germain football academy in Rwanda, six months after it opened.

Coal mining has long polluted the natural environment, with devastating consequences. But today, could it be a source of renewable energy? Down to Earth travels to the UK where disused, flooded coal mines are now reservoirs of geothermal energy.

Berlin wants to reduce its reliance on Russian coal by importing more from the biggest open-cast coal mine in Latin America. Its poor environmental and human rights standards have earned it the nickname "The Monster."

The climate talks in Berlin are focusing not only on the war in Ukraine and Russian energy, but also how the G7 nations can take a lead on the phasing out of coal.

As coal prices bite, Poles turn to collect firewood

After banning imports of Russian coal in April, Europe's largest coal producer, Poland, is now suffering a shortage. As prices soar, Warsaw is scrambling to find emergency solutions that could speed up its coal phaseout.

Coal is seeing a bit of a revival in Germany, with out-of-service power plants being placed back online as gas supplies from Russia fall. But bringing coal-fired plants back online is easier said than done.

Germany won't extend the lifespan of three remaining nuclear power stations due to the energy crisis, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said. He also warned against public panic over a potential winter gas shortage.

Police have cleared activists from a coal power plant and the rail lines leading to it, detaining several people. The protest impacted power output. Meanwhile, in Berlin, another group blocked busy intersections.

Coal is seeing a bit of a revival in Germany, with out-of-service power plants being placed back online as gas supplies from Russia fall. But bringing coal-fired plants back online is easier said than done.

In his twenty-one years of mining coal in Mexico’s northern state of Coahuila, Juan Briones knows each time he descends the narrow shaft, he’s risking death to make a living.