China Leads Global Renewable Energy Despite Highest Emissions

China, long recognized as the world’s top emitter of greenhouse gases, is also emerging as a dominant force in renewable energy. The country now leads global investments and production in solar, wind, and other clean power technologies.

A Pivotal Player: China’s Climate Paradoxes

As the world prepares for the upcoming United Nations climate summit, COP30, to be held this November in Belem, Brazil, few countries draw as much attention as China. The Asian powerhouse finds itself at the very heart of global climate debates—lauded for its rapid advances in green technology, yet scrutinized for its massive greenhouse gas output. With roughly 15.6 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually, China accounts for over 30% of global totals, according to the UN. Yet, when measured by per capita emissions and historical contribution, it lags behind countries like the United States. Notably, nearly 60% of China’s electricity is still generated from coal—a reality that starkly contrasts with its meteoric rise in renewable energy.

The Acceleration of Clean Technologies

Recent years have seen a remarkable surge in China’s commitment to renewable power. A comprehensive new report outlines an ambitious objective: to expand solar and wind capacity sixfold by 2035, reaching a staggering 3,600 gigawatts. Such growth would require installing around 200 gigawatts annually—a pace that, impressively, is nearly being met already in 2024. In tandem with this energy transformation, the electric vehicle sector has flourished. More than 40% of all new cars sold in China this year were electric or hybrid models, consolidating the country’s lead in global adoption.

Ambitions Under International Scrutiny

Despite these encouraging signs, questions persist about the clarity and sufficiency of Beijing’s climate pledges. Authorities have set a target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by between 7 and 10 percent by 2035. However, ambiguity remains due to the lack of an explicit baseline year for these reductions—an omission that complicates external assessment. Alongside this pledge, the long-term aim is clear: achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Some analysts suggest that China may have already reached its emissions peak thanks to advances in renewables and nuclear energy.

Further measures are spelled out in President Xi Jinping’s recently unveiled roadmap:

• The extension of China’s national carbon trading system into high-polluting industries such as steel and cement;
• A major increase in forest coverage—from today’s 20 billion to over 24 billion cubic meters.

An Uncertain Path Ahead

Many experts still view these policies as falling short of what’s required under the terms of the Paris Agreement. Even so, few doubt that China’s clean technology sector has become fiercely competitive—perhaps capable of exceeding official forecasts. Ultimately, however, whether these efforts will be enough to prevent global temperatures from surpassing the crucial +1.5°C threshold remains uncertain. For now, China stands as both a leader and a question mark on the world’s journey towards sustainability.