China significantly reduced approvals for new coal-fired power plants in the first half of 2024 following a surge in previous years that raised concerns about its climate commitments.
Ken Moritsugu reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Greenpeace East Asia found that only 14 new coal plants were approved in China in early 2024, down 80% from the same period last year.
- China’s coal dependence persists, despite leading in solar and wind power, to manage peak electricity demand.
- Recent government initiatives focus on integrating renewable energy into the grid and retrofitting coal plants with low-carbon technologies.
Key quote:
“We may now be seeing a turning point.”
— Gao Yuhe, project lead for Greenpeace East Asia
Why this matters:
China's reduced coal plant approvals signal a potential shift in its energy strategy, but its continued reliance on coal complicates global efforts to combat climate change.
Read more: Coal plants grow despite global push for cleaner energy
