As mentioned, western nations are increasingly turning away from coal in favor of cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, which comes as a massive blow to the future of the global coal market. But strong demand from China and India is likely to prolong the life of the industry. While China may have decreased its coal use in an effort to improve air quality, the Asian powerhouse is still one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and is likely to remain the world’s top coal consumer for years to come. Together, China and India account for 65 percent of global coal demand. Coal consumption from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Southeast Asia represents another 10 percent. As China is such a huge player in the coal market, the price of coal is tied to its domestic and foreign policies, as well as its economy. This has caused some volatility in the price of coking coal in particular. Coal prices are expected to do well in the short term as the global economy recovers post-COVID-19 and as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. Research firm FocusEconomics forecasts that Pacific basin benchmark coal prices will average US$240 per metric ton in 2022 and US$140.20 in 2023. Overall, it seems that although coal use is on the decline, the fuel will still hold a place in the global energy mix for years to come. While Europe and North America turn to other energy alternatives, demand from China and India will likely keep the coal market afloat into the future.