During the Conference of the Parties (COP) summit in Madrid, nearly 200 countries that signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 are expected to boost their emissions-reduction ambitions by at least threefold to meet the targets adopted in the agreement. Also the Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Binton Kutsaira, said that Malawi will implement coal-powered plants to reduce the emission of carbon.

“As it stands, Malawi needs coal-fired power plants to end blackouts and we will make everything possible that we get there since our reliance on hydro power has failed us,” said Kutsaira, quoted by Malawi news Agency.

On the other hand, Asian countries such as India, Vietnam and Bangladesh, have plans for new coal-fired power plants, while coal-producing nations like Australia and the United States are committed to providing it.

While coal is likely an option, studies show that 40% of the world’s energy generation still comes from coal, and generates massive amounts of greenhouse gases annually.