evidence: - United States: Despite electricity demand increasing in the United States, coal-fired generation fell by almost 8% in 2022, reversing a 15% increase in 2021. The decrease in coal output was balanced by an increase in generation from natural gas and strong growth in renewables. [...] As of end-year 2023, 84 countries had agreed to phase out coal or to not develop new unabated coal power plants, collectively accounting for around 30% of current coal consumption for electricity generation. Of these countries, 37 have incorporated coal phase-out targets with specified dates in national plans -- most are in Europe, and 80% are advanced economies. They include countries with a strong reliance on coal-fired power such as Poland, Czechia and Montenegro. [...] Given the dependence of a number of countries and regions on coal, the closure of power plants could have significant economic and social consequences. Coal-dependent regions are often highly specialised "mono-industry" areas, where the economy and the local identity are closely tied to the coal value chain.