China is solidifying its position as the global leader in renewable energy, currently constructing twice the wind and solar capacity of the rest of the world combined, according to a study released Thursday.
Emissions and Climate Goals
The Asian giant, with its vast population (1.4 billion) and manufacturing-heavy economy, is the world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases, which scientists say are accelerating climate change.
China has pledged to stabilize or decrease its emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Massive Renewable Expansion
In pursuit of these goals, China is aggressively expanding its renewable energy capacity. It is currently building an additional 180 gigawatts (GW) of solar power and 159 GW of wind power, according to the study by the U.S.-based Global Energy Monitor (GEM).
This combined total of 339 GW “represents 64% of solar and wind energy” currently under construction worldwide, nearly double the rest of the world combined, according to the report.
Global Comparison
China is followed by the United States (40 GW), Brazil (13 GW), the United Kingdom (10 GW), and Spain (9 GW), according to GEM, an organization that tracks fossil fuel and renewable energy projects worldwide.
Coal’s Continued Role
These 339 GW represent a third of the total new wind and solar capacity announced by national authorities and actually under construction, “far exceeding” the global average (7%), the study notes.
“The striking contrast between these two percentages illustrates China’s proactive approach to its renewable energy construction commitments,” it emphasizes.
However, China still relies heavily on coal-fired power plants, a highly polluting fossil fuel, to meet its growing electricity demand.
It also struggles to transmit some of its renewable energy, particularly that produced in remote regions, to the densely populated economic centers in the east.
Renewable Milestones
Nevertheless, China’s combined wind and solar capacity is expected to surpass coal this year, according to GEM.
The study suggests that this rapid expansion of renewable energy offers hope that Chinese emissions will peak sooner than anticipated.
Potential Turning Point
In a separate report released Thursday, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a Finland-based research institute, stated that China did not issue any new permits for coal-fired steel projects in the first half of 2024.
This is the first half-year without such permits since September 2020, when China announced its 2030 and 2060 emissions pledges, marking a potential “turning point,” according to the study.
“With steel demand in China peaking,” there is “significant potential to phase out coal-based production, representing a substantial emissions reduction opportunity over the next 10 years,” CREA indicates.
Climate Impacts
Scientists warn that climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense.
China is currently experiencing a summer marked by scorching heat in the north and torrential rains in the south.
These heavy rains in eastern and southern parts of the country have also caused a series of deadly floods and landslides in recent weeks.