Europe’s coal legacy – in pictures

Ptolemaida, northern Greece

In this fertile region of northern Greece, peach orchards line the roads and rural landscapes stretch for miles. But the region is also dominated by the national coal industry and its complexes of plants and mines.In 2015, 50% of Greece’s energy was produced from lignite, the dirtiest form of coal. Now the country is heading down a rapid phase-out with all but one lignite plant decommissioned by 2023
Giorgos – miner, Akrini, Greece

Giorgos works in the lignite mine that encircles Akrini. The village’s natural water supply previously had to be cut off after the cancer-causing hexavalent chromium leached from coal ash deposits from nearby coal plants. Giorgos wants to move on but, like many villagers, he is caught in an impossible position, with the coal industry being a key employer in the region
Mavropigi and Kardia lignite mines, Ptolemaida region, Greece

The sheer scale of open-pit coal mines is hard to imagine for those who have never seen one up close. Lignite, or brown coal, can only be mined by digging vast expanses of land. The lignite mines of northern Greece create vast chasms devoid of all wildlife, destabilising the land
Kardia coal plant, Greece

A drainage system pumps groundwater out of the Kardia mine to keep it clear, as its depths sit below the water table. Coal poses a multitude of water issues – from supply shortages and pollution to ground instability. The Kardia coal plant can be seen in the background. Kardia means heart, soul or mind in Greek
Anargyroi, northern Greece

Anargyroi sits on the edge of the TPS Amyntaio lignite mine in Greece. In 2017 a landslide caused by mining all but destroyed the village and caused the road leading to the mine to collapse.Once home to 400 people, now fewer than 30 remain in the village. Bells at one local church are not rung regularly for fear of causing more cracks in the walls. After several years, the villagers are finally gaining ground in their fight for compensation
Anargyroi, Greece

Villagers from Anargyroi stand on the road towards the mine. Cracks from the landslide can be seen in the foreground. The road behind comes to an abrupt halt, with a steep drop where part of the village dropped into the mine
Hambach lignite mine, Germany

Tourists look into RWE’s vast Hambach mine in Germany. The mine hit international news in 2019, when police raided a treehouse community that was trying to save what remains of the nearby Hambach Forest from mine expansion. RWE purchased the forest in 1978. Today only 10% of the ancient forest remains. ‘Hambi’ has now been saved – but multiple villages are still set for demolition.
Garzweiler lignite mine, Germany

The activist collective Ende Gelande periodically stages mine blockades to protest against Germany’s continued use of coal. Here, one ‘finger’ of the group runs across part of the 50 sq km surface mine in an effort to halt coal production
Neurath, Germany

Rhineland is home to some of Europe’s biggest coal complexes. Here, a cooling tower peeps out from between residential houses near Neurath. Nearby plants Neurath and Niederaussem are two of Europe’s single biggest CO2 emitters
Mannheim power plant, Germany

Germany is still heavily dependent on coal for its energy production. The government has agreed to an end date for the fossil fuel but it is still 17 years away
Dresen family homestead, Kuckum, Germany

Germany’s continuing use of coal has meant the sacrifice of thousands of homes. Next in the bulldozing line would be five villages near the Garzweiler mine, including Kuckum – but villagers reject the idea that demolishing homes for coal still stands today, promising they will head to court to save their communities
Belchatow, Poland

Belchatow power plant is one of the world’s biggest coal plants – burning a tonne of coal a second, its annual carbon emissions are roughly the same as Slovakia’s. The state-run Polish Energy Group is under significant pressure to announce a closure date, but the Polish government is reluctant to move on from coal power
Katowice, Poland

The festival of Barborka (St Barbara’s Day) celebrates Poland’s coalmining – including marching bands and current and former miners in full regalia. Coalmining is a strong cultural heritage throughout Poland, particularly in the Silesia region. A just transition towards sustainable forms of energy must include support and dignity for former workers
Belchatow power plant and Belchatow mine, Poland

The heavy, polluting lignite that fuels Europe’s biggest coal plant needs to be mined close by, as transporting it is inefficient. Two mines feed Belchatow; local residents have recently celebrated a victory in blocking a third, which would have displaced 3,000 people
Povrchovy lom CSA lignite mine, Czech Republic

Another coal-dependent state, the Czech Republic is engaged in a tug-of-war over its coal exit date. Here tourists are dwarfed by an excavator while on a tour of the mine
Povrchovy lom CSA lignite mine, Czech Republic

Environmentalists fear the Czech Republic will follow Germany and suspend all climate ambition
Kostolac B power plant, Serbia

Coal construction in Europe is not over yet. Serbia is building more coal plants – now funded by China’s ‘belt and road’ initiative, which is also eyeing coal projects in countries from Bangladesh to Malawi. In the foreground is an archeological dig of the Roman city of Viminacium
Veliki Crljeni, Kolubara coal basin, Serbia

The immense weight of ash deposits from a nearby coal plant disrupt and pollute the water table, causing water to pool on the surface, leading to water shortages in neighbouring villages
Beli Bryag, Bulgaria

Next to the white car, the scale of the excavators that dig Europe’s mines becomes alarmingly clear. The neighbouring village of Beli Bryag is set to be demolished for further mine expansion
Marina and her son, Beli Bryag, Bulgaria

Marina and her son live in the bucolic village of Beli Bryag, where she and other residents grow produce and make traditional plum brandy. She has already been forcibly evicted during her lifetime, when her home was demolished to make way for a coalmine. Now, it is poised to happen again. Resistance is difficult – and dangerous – as her son has little choice but to work in the coal industry
Bobov Dol, Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s coal issues are well-documented but the state continues to offer strong support to the industry, granting permits to over-pollute. Campaigners have recorded layers of toxic coal dust coating houses and children’s play areas in multiple regions, including Bobov Dol
Abono power plant, Spain

Spain’s transition from coal has picked up pace dramatically in recent years, with all mining activity largely stopped and comprehensive plans in place to support workers formerly employed by the industry. Spain is now one of the pioneers in Europe’s coal transition
Abono power plant, Spain

Coal emissions include heavy metals such as mercury, which then migrate into the soil and water table. Soil samples taken around the Abono plant show levels of mercury seven to 10 times over the World Health Organization legal limit. The water in all natural springs along this hillside is undrinkable because of contamination with mercury and other heavy metals. Local people are still growing vegetables and crops on this land