IN 1882, the world's first coal-powered electricity began flowing from a small London station designed by inventor Thomas Edison.
Two weeks ago, Britain's last remaining coal power plant, the Ratcliffe power station in Nottinghamshire, generated its final unit of energy — meaning that coal will no longer be used for electricity in Britain.
I grew up in the Scottish golf county of East Lothian, whose coastline was dominated by the stacks of a local coal power station. Just outside my village were the slag heaps of an open cast mine. They were eyesores in a beauty spot.
But today, the power station is gone, the mine closed and the landscape restored. Power is now generated from Scotland's largest offshore windfarm of Seagreen — with more under development.
The new United Kingdom government has placed acting on the climate emergency at the heart of its priorities, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy's first major speech was on ensuring we have a liveable planet for all.
At the centre is a promise to deliver a decarbonised electricity system by 2030 through accelerating deployment of clean alternatives, such as solar and wind.
As I reflect on this progress in my country, I see important parallels with what is happening in Malaysia. First, the UK's coal phaseout has been powered by the clear policy direction of our Climate Change Act.
Back in 2015, the UK was the first government to set a coal phaseout commitment, setting a 2025 target date — which we have achieved one year early.
The policy direction in Malaysia is becoming clearer too. At a London conference co-hosted with Canada in June by the Powering Past Coal Alliance, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof shared Malaysia's goal to phase out coal power by 2044.
Amid the art deco dials of the historic Battersea Power Station control room, Fadillah spoke inspirationally about Malaysia's energy transition ambitions and challenges, adding that coal power capacity would be halved by 2035.
Battersea's revitalisation into a modern commercial and residential zone, backed by visionary Malaysian investment, symbolises the transition from coal's past to a clean future.
Second, electricity market instruments have been essential for phaseout. These have put more stringent controls on power station emissions, ultimately making coal uneconomical.
In Malaysia, we support the Finance Ministry's participation in the World Bank's Partnership for Market Implementation programme, which is assessing carbon pricing instruments and options. Putting a price on carbon — to reflect the costs and harms of pollution — will incentivise investment into cleaner energy.
It is this clean energy that is pivotal to Malaysia's attractiveness as an investment destination. Moving away from coal will only increase Malaysia's value proposition to the ever-growing number of companies that need to calculate the carbon in their global supply chains, especially for high-tech goods and services.
I am hearing this more and more from UK investors interested in the opportunities our Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership membership will create for trade and investment with Malaysia.
Third, the UK has worked for a just transition, and we have prioritised retraining and employment opportunities for those affected by the closures in the coal sector.
I see effective societal outreach in Malaysia too. The publication of outline plans for climate change legislation allows society to understand and support changes before they come into force.
The UK also continues to work with Malaysia's government, business, and civil society on the broader just energy transition.
In the past year alone, we've held policy exchanges on subjects ranging from grid interconnector and electricity market management to carbon capture and storage.
New UK climate finance is supporting improved energy access through renewables for Orang Asli communities in Pahang.
Just last week, another project concluded, which provided technical assistance to Kuala Lumpur City Hall to prepare new energy efficiency, solar and district cooling projects. With co-funding from France and Germany, and leadership from City Hall, the Cities Finance Facility project demonstrates our continued support for Malaysia's energy transition.
Some 142 years after the first coal was burnt in the UK for power, we're looking to the future.
In the first quarter of this year, over 50 per cent of our electricity came from renewables, including the offshore wind and solar developed by TNB's UK subsidiary.
This is a tangible example of UK and Malaysia collaborating on accelerating the energy transition which is a core part of the modern relationship between our two countries.
The UK is committed to meet our net zero target and will submit a new national target at COP29, consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C.
We also encourage other countries to submit ambitious targets over the coming months, and phasing out unabated coal power will be a first step to transition away from fossil fuels and ensure a liveable planet for all.
The writer is acting British high commissioner