Coal is the world’s most abundant fossil fuel and is second only to oil as an energy source. Economically mineable reserves exceed one trillion tonnes -- enough to last over 200 years at current rates of consumption. By comparison, current reserves of oil will last 45 years and natural gas 70 years.

Unlike oil and gas reserves that tend to be concentrated in specific regions, coal is widely distributed. In some regions, coal is the only realistic option as an energy source due to factors of availability and economics.