Needlessly Blackening the UK's Environmental Credentials?

The UK had a self-proclaimed 'leadership role', in the 'fight against global heating and climate change'. At that time, it appealed to all other countries to stop extracting and using coal. Coal is the biggest fossil fuel producer of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is, of course, a potent 'greenhouse gas', with a profound impact on global heating. Double standards were suspected, however, when, in 2022, the UK government approved the opening of a new coalmine near Whitehaven in Cumbria. This was the first new UK coalmine for many decades. It was claimed the mine was needed, as its coal was essential, to enable the country to carry on making steel. At the same time as approval for the mine was granted, the government's own Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) wrote a report, claiming they had 'high confidence' that, by 2035, UK steel production would need no coal. BEIS believed the development of Electric Arc furnaces would fully decarbonise the UK's steel production. Electric Arc furnaces are powered by solar or wind power, without directly producing 'greenhouse gas' emissions (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/02/government-documents-said-to-blow-gaping-hole-in-its-case-for-cumbrian-coalmine). It now seems likely that the Cumbrian coalmine was actually approved to gain local political advantage. It had been argued that well-paid jobs would be created, giving an economic boost to the area. Interestingly, Tata steel, in Wale's Port Talbot, is currently closing its two coal-fired blast furnaces. The company intends replacing them (with government financial support), by a 'greener' Electric Arc furnance. Many well-paid jobs will be lost in Port Talbot (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/19/port-talbot-steelworks-blast-furnaces-to-close-costing-almost-3000-jobs-tata). It seems that 'well-paid jobs' are, like pawns, moved around, solely for commercial and political advantage. Steel production needs to be 'greener', no matter where activities related to it, are situated.