Could this be the biggest climate story of the year?
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
1/7
For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand
Full analysis + outlook by Lauri Myllyvirta:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
1/7
Comments
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
2/7
This is the first time on record that clean energy growth has been sufficient to cut into coal power, without the help of weak power demand
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
3/7
Some sectors clearly already past CO2 peak (cement); for others (oil, power) structural signals are point down due to clean energy / EVs
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
4/7
Only coal-to-chemicals – seen as important for energy security – is still growing
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
5/7
The power sector looks set for continued near-term CO2 decline, with forecast clean energy growth this year and next matching the record-breaking year in 2024
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
6/7
Lauri sets out the key variables in his piece – click through for the details:
https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-clean-energy-just-put-chinas-co2-emissions-into-reverse-for-first-time/
7/7
...and the rate of reduction will have to seriously accelerate.
https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2025