The data analysis which was published on Tuesday which applies to the financial year 2019/20 showed that Eskom's emissions are worse that of the power sectors of the US, the European Union (EU) and China. The data analysis by independent research organisation the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) showed that Eskom is the world's most polluting power company - particularly when it comes to sulphur dioxide emissions. This puts further pressure on the state-owned power utility company which heavily relies on coal for energy. This also comes at a time when South Africa’s coal energy sector is facing mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its use of coal for good. For example, China announced last week that it would no longer fund foreign coal projects. That means a Chinese-backed coal project slated to power a new industrial complex in South Africa’s northern province of Limpopo may not materialize.