From coal to clean

The idea of the SwitchCoal study is to replace coal-fired power plants in the same location with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and battery systems.

It also proves that this switch is both feasible and profitable. According to the study, global CO2 emissions could be reduced by 25 % and high returns on investment could be achieved at the same time.

Communicating this completely new scientific approach in a credible way at COP 28 was the core challenge of this project: demonstrating the ecological benefits, as well as the evidence and the calculation model behind the expected monetary incentives. The addressees are primarily power plant owners, political decision-makers, NGOs and the press.

The project goes far beyond the creation of a classic campaign website and the matching brand identity. Highly complex, scientific data from the extensive SwitchCoal study was analysed, technically processed, visualized in a generally understandable way and converted into explanatory text descriptions.

In addition, the so-called SwitchTool was developed especially for the website. This enables targeted, eye-catching access to scientific data on over 2,500 coal-fired power plants around the world - individually selectable via national and regional filter options and perfectly tailored to different user groups and needs.

To make scientific data accessible to non-scientists in order to promote understanding of the business case for shutting down coal-fired power plants by switching to renewable energy sources - currently the only realistic chance of keeping the targeted maximum global warming of 1.5°C within reach by 2030.