Whilst the UK continues to be committed to phasing out the use of coal for electricity generation by 2024, the Government has recently announced its intention to allow the opening of a new coal mine at Whitehaven in Cumbria. The coking coal to be mined there has limited application in the UK steel industry, and 85% of the coal is planned for export to Europe. The UK Government needs to consider the impact of this decision on its ability to exert international influence with regard to the phasing out of unabated coal.