China
China rejects ‘major emitter’ label in talks to step up climate action
To bridge the 1.5C gap, countries agreed to set up a work stream to accelerate action this decade. But at Bonn climate talks, no-one can agree on what it should look like
After blackouts, China’s green goals take back seat to energy security
Blackouts and rising fossil fuel prices have made scaling up domestic energy production – clean or dirty – the priority for the Chinese government
China plans huge wind and solar power rollout in Gobi desert
The goal is to install 450GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, more than twice the US’ installed wind and solar generating fleet
Cooling towers, fake snow: What the Beijing Winter Olympics says about climate change
The spectacle of fake snow and an old steel mill’s cooling towers has sparked climate debate among Olympics-watchers
‘Extraordinary progress’ – Beijing meets air pollution goals after coal crackdown
Social media protests and US direct diplomacy pushed authorities in China’s capital to clean up heavy industry and home heating
China ‘trumps’ the west by pledging larger share of IMF relief to African nations
President Xi Jinping promised to share around a quarter of China’s pandemic recovery boost with Africa, more than European and American countries
China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade
In a surprise joint statement, the world’s two top emitters agreed to work together in a range of areas to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement “within reach”
Xi Jinping announces biodiversity fund to help developing nations protect nature
The Chinese president called on other donor countries to contribute to the $230 million fund for biodiversity at Kunming talks
China’s power crunch could fuel anti-climate backlash, analysts warn
Many media reports have linked the power cuts to environmental policies aimed at curbing energy intensity, when high coal prices are the real culprit
President Xi declares end to Chinese support for new coal power abroad
Climate campaigners are celebrating as an end to Chinese public backing leaves few sources of finance for new coal plants around the world
Chinese coal power investment slows, with 24 projects approved this year
Chinese provincial governments approved construction of 5.2GW of coal power capacity in the first half of 2021, analysis by Greenpeace has found
Record-breaking rain fills Chinese subway, drowning twelve people
Flooding in the central province of Henan can be linked to human influence on the climate, but Chinese media is not making the connection
China’s biggest bank is ditching Zimbabwe coal plant, campaigners say
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China told environmentalists in a meeting last month they would not go ahead with the 2.8GW Sengwa coal plant
China’s dirty Covid-19 recovery leaves heavy lifting on climate to its five-year plan
Official government figures show energy, steel and cement consumption rose in 2020, pushing emissions up as Beijing is expected to reveal 2025 targets
China’s energy agency floats increase in 2030 renewables target
Analysts say the proposal would lead to China installing 300 GW more wind and solar capacity by 2030 than under existing targets
Study suggests China’s crackdown on illegal CFC gases is working
Levels of the banned CFC-11 in the atmosphere have fallen over east Asia after the Chinese government cracked down on illegal producers in the foam industry
Climate veteran Xie Zhenhua returns as China’s special envoy
Xie Zhenhua’s return to climate diplomacy is seen as a ‘bright spot’ for US-China cooperation, given his strong relationship with US special climate envoy John Kerry
Chinese inspectors slam energy authority over coal expansion spree
In a highly critical report, officials found the National Energy Administration was promoting coal power expansion without regard for Beijing’s environmental goals
As US renews climate relations with EU and China, carbon pricing raises tensions
An EU plan to tax carbon-intensive imports could spur a race to the top between the world’s three biggest polluters – or become politically toxic
Inner Mongolia pursues coal-led recovery, defying Beijing’s climate goals
China’s biggest coal-producing province, Inner Mongolia, approved power plants and industrial installations in 2020 with an annual coal demand equivalent to Germany’s