Carbon emissions from fossil-fuel use rose to a record level in 2018, after energy demand grew at its fastest pace in a decade. The increase, which was reported by the International Energy Agency, was attributed to higher oil consumption in the US and more coal burning in China and India. In South Africa, coal remains the dominant primary energy source for electricity, which is produced mainly by large power plants such as the Kendal power station, pictured above. Most of the concern currently is on the poor production performance of the Eskom coal fleet, rather than carbon emissions. There is, however, also rising concerns about the ongoing environmental and health impacts of plants, which are not compliant with the country’s air quality regulations.