The UK has approved the development of its first new coal mine in 30 years. The new facility, which will be located in Cumbria, will produce coking coal for steel production in the UK and other countries.

Supporters claim that the facility will create jobs and reduce the need to import coal, despite a decline in demand for coking coal. The government’s advisory Climate Change Committee has criticised the decision, arguing that the mine will increase carbon emissions and undermine the UK’s climate targets.

Coal is the most polluting of all fossil fuels, generating almost twice the carbon emissions of natural gas.