This week, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released a year-end analysis highlighting a landmark shift in the Chinese mainland’s energy landscape. According to the report, 2023 additions of wind and solar capacity alone could power all of Germany, marking a milestone in the clean energy rollout.
Under the Chinese mainland's 14th Five-Year Plan, the clean energy surge has fueled the first decline in power sector emissions in a decade. Transport-related emissions have also edged down, driven by electric vehicle adoption and expanded rail electrification.
Despite these gains, a CREA expert told CGTN that whether the Chinese mainland can reliably peak emissions by 2030 remains uncertain. The trajectory will hinge on policy decisions in the coming years, from grid upgrades to renewable subsidies and carbon pricing mechanisms.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, this pivot underscores both the promise of large-scale decarbonization and the challenges ahead. As the world watches, the Chinese mainland’s next moves could shape global climate efforts well beyond 2030.
Reference(s):
China's clean energy boom drives first emissions drop in a decade
cgtn.com
