Band 8+: The graph shows the proportion of energy that was produced from coal in four European countries from 1995 to 2010. Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.

The line graph illustrates the percentage of energy generated from coal in Sweden, France, Denmark and Germany from 1995 to 2010.

Overall, the proportion of energy produced from coal declined in all four countries over the period. Denmark and Germany experienced the most dramatic decreases, whereas Sweden and France stayed relatively constant and remained at comparatively higher levels by the end of the period.

At the beginning of the period, Denmark recorded the highest figure, at 60%, followed by Germany at 55%. Then both countries experienced substantial declines. Denmark’s proportion fell steadily to 20% in 2004, remained unchanged in 2007, and dropped further to 10%. Germany followed a similar downward trend, decreasing from 55% to 5% in 2007, before recovering slightly to approximately 17% at the end of the period.

By contrast, Sweden and France experienced smaller changes. Sweden’s figure declined gradually from 35% in 1995 to approximately 27% in 2004, after which it remained stable until 2010. France also saw a slight decrease, from 30% to about 23% in 2004, before edging up marginally to 24% by the end of the period.