“More countries must follow the path of Wales. They must leave fossil fuels in the ground and transition to renewables.”

Climate action groups on Monday applauded the government of Wales for taking the threat of climate change seriously. The country said it would end coal mining.

As part of the country’s new energy strategy, coal mining will be stopped by the end of 2018.  The plan aims to get 70 percent of Wales’ energy from renewable sources by 2030.

“We applaud the Welsh government in taking these vital steps for a climate safe future. Their actions are in direct contrast to its English neighbor. This week England gave the green light to start fracking and created an unfavorable environment for renewable energy,” said Anna Vickerstaff, spokesperson for 350.org.

“It is an historic moment. This is the end of coal in Wales after a long association and history.” —Haf Elgar, Friends of the Earth Cymru

The announcement came weeks after the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a terrifying report on climate change. They highlighted the steps the world’s government must take immediately in order to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change. This catastrophe could come about by 2040 if the Earth warms more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). Leaving coal in the ground is part of these steps.

“We have to be aware of our global responsibility and the impact all of the coal has had over the years. We are globally responsible for reducing our carbon emissions,” Haf Elgar, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, told the BBC.

Payal Parekh, program director for 350.org, praised Wales for listening to the warning of the IPCC. He expressed urgent hope that other countries follow Wales’ action.

“The IPCC report released last week should act as a wake-up call for leaders worldwide. More countries must follow the path of Wales in leaving fossil fuels in the ground and transitioning to renewables,” said Parekh in a statement.

 Wales produced 57 million tons of coal in one year around 1900. Production has slowed over the last 100 years. The country extracted 2.5 million tons in 2014. However, green groups were optimistic about the plan to eliminate coal from Wales’ economy. 

“It is a historic moment. This is the end of coal in Wales after a long association and history,” said Elgar.