Beijing has committed to peaking its carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Overall carbon emissions in China have fallen for four consecutive quarters on the back of an economic slowdown, research reported by climate monitor Carbon Brief showed in early September. Premier Li Keqiang in June called for "releasing advanced coal capacity, as much as possible, and implementing long-term coal supply." Expanding coal capacity as a quick fix, however, goes against "immediate annual cuts in coal use that the UN and leading research organizations have called for," GEM analysts said. "The more coal China builds now, the harder it becomes to finance and deliver renewable energy projects later," Wu Jinghan, climate and energy project leader for Greenpeace East Asia, told AFP.

Source: Manila Times September 19, 2022 04:14 UTC