Key Impact Points:

• Massive Renewables Expansion: China is ramping up offshore wind farms and new energy bases to meet its climate goals.
• Coal Dependency Persists: Despite renewable strides, China is increasing coal production while testing low-carbon technology.
• Global Green Influence: China’s renewable investments and tech exports are shaping the global clean energy landscape.

China’s Climate Strategy: A Dual Approach

China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is pushing forward with major renewable energy projects to meet its 2030 carbon peak and 2060 carbon neutrality targets. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) confirmed plans for offshore wind farms and large-scale energy bases in desert regions.

“China will actively and prudently work towards peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality,” the NDRC stated in an official report.

However, coal remains central to China’s energy mix. The NDRC announced continued increases in coal production while piloting low-carbon technologies at coal-fired plants. China missed its 2023 carbon intensity reduction goal of 3.4%, citing high energy demand and extreme weather.

“Despite the world record expansion of renewables, an inconvenient truth is that China’s economy hasn’t become much more energy efficient in recent years,” said Yao Zhe, global policy advisor at Greenpeace.

China’s Renewable Leadership

China is driving global clean energy growth, accounting for 60% of new renewable capacity worldwide in 2023, according to the World Energy Outlook 2024. Renewable energy now makes up nearly 40% of China’s electricity generation.

China’s forest coverage hit 25% in 2023, absorbing over 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. The country has also led the electric vehicle (EV) market for a decade and reduced energy intensity by 26% since 2012.

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“Through ambitious carbon neutrality goals and industrial decarbonization efforts, China has made significant progress in transitioning to a sustainable economy,” said Naing Swe Oo, senior advisory board member at Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies.

China’s Global Green Influence

Beyond its borders, China is driving renewable energy projects in developing nations. The China-Ethiopia-Sri Lanka Renewable Energy Technology Transfer Project has installed 11 green energy solutions, benefiting over 50,000 people.

Major projects include:

• Zhanatas Wind Farm (Kazakhstan): Produces 350M kWh annually, saving 109,500 tons of coal.
• Gouina Hydropower Station (Mali): Generates 687M kWh per year, reducing carbon emissions by 630,000 tons.

China also leads in clean tech exports, supplying 70% of global solar components and 60% of wind power equipment. In 2023 alone, these exports helped cut 810 million tons of carbon emissions worldwide.

“If China can produce more green products within Africa, it would be a significant benefit for the continent,” said Kenyan economist James Shikwati.

The Road Ahead

China is a signatory of the Paris Agreement and has provided $24.5 billion in climate-related funding to developing nations since 2016. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has partnered with over 40 countries on green development, expanding renewable energy infrastructure worldwide.

“Through initiatives like BRI, China is not only promoting its influence but also accelerating the global green transformation,” said Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.

Despite progress, China faces challenges in balancing economic growth with climate commitments. Meeting its five-year carbon intensity reduction goal remains uncertain, but its continued investment in renewables signals a long-term commitment to green development.

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