Renewables boom: China’s CO2 emiss • Table.Briefings

Solaranlagen in Ordos, China. — Solar installations in Ordos, China.

China’s CO2 emissions have declined over the past twelve months. For the first time, the cause wasn’t an economic crisis but rather the rapid expansion of renewable energy, according to a new analysis. Whether the trend continues will also depend on the trade war with the United States and how China structures its economic stimulus programs.

For the first time, China’s rapid growth in renewable energy has driven a decrease in CO“2″ emissions, according to a recent analysis by the portal Carbon Brief. Previously, temporary drops in emissions were mostly the result of economic slowdowns. According to the analysis, China’s emissions fell by 1 percent over the last twelve months, even though electricity demand increased. Renewables were expanded so quickly that they were able to meet the additional electricity demand – pushing coal out of the power mix. Outside the power sector, CO2 emissions rose by 3.5 percent, attributed to increased coal demand in the metals and chemicals sectors.

Renewables boom: China’s CO2 emissions have declined.

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