The UK’s electrical grid has not burned any coal for about 1,000 hours so far this year. That figure for the whole of 2016 was 210. Last year it was 624. Germany is more dependent on coal. But the trend away from coal pollution is clear there too. So far, this year coal generated about 35.1 percent of Germany’s electricity. However, renewables generated about 36.5 percent. It’s the first time in Germany’s history that renewable sources have generated more electricity than coal halfway through the year.