Coal — the backbone of industrial progress — now faces its greatest paradox. Despite record-high power generation in 2024, the world is rapidly turning to renewables and zero-carbon energy. Economist Roman Bilousov calls coal “indispensable yet unsustainable,” a stabilizer in modern grids rather than a driver of growth. From Asia’s energy dependence to Europe’s phase-out, its future hinges on transformation — cleaner technologies, carbon capture, and fair transition for workers and regions. As Roman Bilousov notes, “We shouldn’t destroy coal — we should transform it.” The balance between economy and ecology will shape the energy era ahead.