Editorial 19.5.2022

This week bears good news for climate change mitigation from China. A group of renowned energy analysts has found, based on Beijing’s ambitious renewable energy expansion programs, that China could reach the peak of its carbon emissions earlier than envisaged in its own climate targets. Instead of 2030, the peak could already be reached in 2025. However, provided that energy consumption does not rise faster than previously predicted. Nico Beckert analyzes which other hurdles China still has to overcome. Since China is the world’s largest carbon emitter, the success of the country’s climate measures is important for all of us.