London, UK: The UK has approved a controversial plan to open the nation’s first new coal mine in three decades after the nation tried to convince the world to ditch coal at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow.

The UK housing and communities secretary, Mr. Michael Gove, gave his approval on Wednesday to the plan to open the Whitehaven coal mine in Cumbria, a county in northwest England that is home to the Lake District, which has been listed as a World Heritage Site.

The coal mine is expected to create more than 500 jobs. According to the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC), the coal from mines will generate approximately 9 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Supporters of the mine argue the project will create jobs and secure the fossil fuel for British steelmaking; however, 85 percent of the coal mined is due to be exported, as per the reports. The choice has drawn criticism from the CCC.

Committee chairman Lord Deben cited in a statement that, “Phasing out coal use is the clearest requirement of the global effort towards Net Zero. We condemn, therefore, the Secretary of State’s decision to consent to a new deep coal mine in Cumbria, contrary to our previous advice. This decision grows global emissions and undermines UK efforts to achieve Net Zero.”

The mine’s approval was also met with fierce criticism from scientists and environmentalists. The project was initially given approval by the government, but following a wave of protests including a 10-day hunger strike by two teen activists, it was placed on hold.

Climate activists have protested against the project, while West Cumbria Mining, which is developing the mine, said the project would bring hundreds of new jobs into a struggling region. Its opponents argue these jobs may not be secure, given the huge momentum in Europe to phase out coal.

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