"The world's largest polluter continues to build coal-fired power plants alongside renewable energy investments"

"The world has pledged to wean itself off 'dirty' coal to slow the pace of climate change, so why is China - already the world's top producer and consumer of coal - upping its output?

China is home to dozens of polluting coal-fired power plants and emits more greenhouse gasses than any other nation.

But to keep global warming below the internationally agreed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) threshold, countries must quit their coal habit, retire plants early and run existing plants less, according to the International Energy Agency.

China has said the country will start cutting coal between 2026 and 2030 but is yet to commit to a full phase-out.

In a smart hedge ahead of losing its coal, China has emerged as a global leader in renewable energy - but continues to develop harmful coal-fired power in the interim."

Beatrice Tridimas reports for Thomson Reuters Foundation October 31, 2024. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"China Hopes US Will Continue Climate Change Collaboration Whoever Wins Election, Official Says" (Reuters) [3]