Closer look reveals true cost of coal

Some major emitters such as China and the US have pledged to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels over the next few decades to mitigate climate change -- yet this will only cause world market coal prices drop, making coal more appealing to developing countries that are only now beginning to invest in long-term energy infrastructure.

Yet this will only make world market coal prices drop, making coal more appealing to developing countries that are only now beginning to invest in long-term energy infrastructure. But what is the true cost of coal?

As Edenhofer points out, governments around the world heavily subsidize fossil fuels, and in 2013 pretax subsidies amounted to about $550 billion US worldwide. These substantial subsidies not only drain funds that could be used for other purposes, such as sanitation and poverty reduction, but discourage investments in low-carbon alternatives.

Furthermore, a recent report by the International Monetary Fund quantifies substantial additional costs of burning fossil fuels, such as local air pollution and other adverse side effects of vehicle use. Thus, the cost of coal usage can be deceptively low, and understanding the true costs -- before long-term energy infrastructure is built -- is essential, Edenhofer concludes.