Overview

This visual report, titled The State of Global Coal Power: Proposed New Capacity and Power Sector Decarbonization, was developed as a print and digital publication intended for policymakers and climate stakeholders. Sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, the report translates dense coal policy data into accessible, graphically engaging summaries.

The design emphasizes clarity, geographic visualization, and digestible insights for an audience of international climate and energy leaders.

Problem / Solution

Global coal data — including emissions, planned capacity, and decarbonization trajectories — is complex, technical, and often difficult to interpret without subject matter expertise. For this report to have policy impact, the information needed to be clear, accurate, and quickly understandable across a global, multilingual audience.

The report was designed to:

• Break down country-level data with consistent, approachable visual layouts

• Present large-scale patterns through maps, charts, and callout summaries

• Use strong typographic hierarchy to separate headline findings from detailed analysis

• Leverage color-coded visual language for thematic clarity (e.g., emissions, capacity, targets)

• Balance scientific precision with design clarity to support both print and digital viewing

Design Considerations

Map-first insights: Global data was translated into custom choropleth maps, showing regional differences in proposed coal capacity at a glance

Data accessibility: Charts and graphs were simplified with bold labeling and color categorization, accompanied by explanatory context

Color clarity: A restrained palette enhanced data contrast while ensuring accessibility across print and screen

Modular layout: Designed using flexible, grid-based composition for ease of reuse and expansion across future issues

Policymaker-friendly: Created for readability at arm’s length in print format, ideal for briefings, meetings, and conferences