Coal's Comeback in China Threatens Decarbonisation Goals, Greenpeace Warns

According to Greenpeace, China has approved almost 30GW of new coal power capacity in Q2 of 2023, leading to total approvals of 50.4GW in the first half of the year.

[{"selector":"#anim-b84d0aca-f8a2-4030-901e-e6a8d6c51a53 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.58593739433214%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-03a06532-36fc-4acf-a4b2-ff2d804cf317","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

This rapid expansion could risk China's decarbonisation goals as local governments see coal power as a reliable solution for energy security and stabilising the economy.

[{"selector":"#anim-d8b31de2-ad3f-4ffe-9056-ceeec59a1eab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-4.023437580715139%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80c65de1-16ac-41d5-b931-3c7d588dae78","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

China, despite being the largest producer of renewable energy, struggles with the intermittent nature of such power sources.

[{"selector":"#anim-e54d8614-0e3c-4d53-8af9-14a5a53de766 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.340342346294275%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c1db252c-434c-4024-be0d-bb8f7e1e5e15","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

Experts suggest that China needs to invest in energy-storage systems to create a flexible grid that can handle power fluctuations.

[{"selector":"#anim-2613fad3-d83e-47b7-b79a-bc706bbb7ac6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.418134881753925%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8777d2c5-b6f5-4bef-a846-19cc009c87ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

Without clear guidance from the central government, provinces remain uncertain about the right direction, says Greenpeace.

[{"selector":"#anim-8e243acb-28cc-4025-b3ae-df75ec47090a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.949385041666034%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-00c51498-d5cc-446a-8bf4-e1bab91d3164","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

Extreme weather conditions are increasing China's reliance on coal, adding pressure on its energy resources.

[{"selector":"#anim-29259d72-5cbf-435c-88a0-46acb659e6df [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-35.2962598325731%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7ca6f833-d167-4c3d-b090-681eedee94aa","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

Xinyi Shen warns that the surge in new coal plants could threaten China's financial stability and climate commitments.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6f5d1ff-8297-4a70-ba3e-0f05c0e1954f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-56.06188466578713%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-aa908f03-a996-4ab3-943f-5faf4c0b1aa5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google

Rebecca Nadin proposes that for effective impact, China must integrate its emission reduction pledges into both its economic strategies and urbanization policies.

[{"selector":"#anim-2847d55c-7b8e-4f28-81bd-94287b7c4fae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.561885075943382%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-274258db-a06a-4cd9-a95c-737e83bf59a1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source- Google