Despite urgent calls for climate action, 2023 saw the largest increase in coal power capacity since 2016, with a significant addition of 48.4 gigawatts (GW). This contradicts international efforts to curb fossil fuel usage in line with the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives. China’s contribution to this trend is significant, accounting for nearly two-thirds of new coal-fired power plants.
A Contradictory Growth Amid Climate Goals
Coal-fired power, the leading generator of carbon dioxide, represents a major hurdle in combating global warming. Despite a global push towards renewable energy, the expansion of coal power indicates a disconcerting disconnection from these climate goals. While some countries have slowed their retirement of coal plants, China’s aggressive coal power expansion signifies a complex economic reliance on one of the dirtiest energy resources.
The Balancing Act of Coal and Renewables
China continues to lead the world in renewable energy installations, yet simultaneously bolsters its coal sector to support its economic expansion. This juxtaposition reflects a broader issue of balancing energy supply stability with the intermittent nature of renewable sources. China’s coal policies, which add 578 GW of planned capacity, starkly contrast with the global need to curb greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
As extreme weather events, like Europe’s recent record heatwaves, underscore the urgency of the climate crisis, the international community is closely monitoring China. The anticipation is for a strategic shift from China that aligns its energy policy with its environmental obligations, a pivot that remains critical for achieving a carbon-neutral future.
