popular articles

China misses key carbon emissions target for 2024

China has missed a major carbon emissions target for 2024, despite record investments in renewable energy, according to recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Please share:

Official data published by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that China has failed to meet a key target for reducing its carbon dioxide emissions for 2024. The country, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, recorded a slight increase in emissions, although carbon intensity, measured by CO2 emissions per unit of GDP, decreased by 3.4%. However, this effort falls short of the official target of -3.9%. This delay undermines China’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Delay on the five-year target

The Chinese government had committed to reducing carbon intensity by 18% between 2020 and 2025. However, experts believe this target is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. While overall emissions increased moderately, they remain lower than the increases seen in previous years. Lauri Myllyvirta, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), highlighted that China now finds itself in a precarious position to meet its goal of a 65% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

Industry slows the energy transition

The industrial sector, still reliant on coal, continues to hinder decarbonisation efforts. In 2024, energy consumption in China rose by 4.3%, mainly due to industrial demand. While China has massively invested in renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, the growing demand for energy has significantly outpaced the integration of these new energy sources. This situation highlights the challenges the country faces in balancing economic growth with its energy transition.

New targets ahead

The Chinese government is expected to announce new emissions reduction targets under its 15th Five-Year Plan for the period 2026-2030. Although China missed submitting its updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the UN in February, it confirmed that these contributions would be presented by the end of 2025. These targets are expected to include detailed strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and reach the emissions peak scheduled for 2030.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The Indonesian government targets a mixed energy expansion involving coal, gas, renewables, and nuclear, requiring IDR2,967.4tn ($235bn) in investment by the end of 2034.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
Canadian Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announces reforms to the energy permitting process, aiming to stimulate investments and strengthen relations between the government and industry.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is finalising a proposal to lift emissions caps for thermal power plants, amid a broader shift toward national energy security.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.
The Pakistani government is releasing 2,000 megawatts of power to support the development of data centres focused on artificial intelligence and Bitcoin mining, as part of a strategy to attract foreign investment.
In April, China generated 26% of its electricity from wind and solar, according to Ember, marking a historic first that reflects a rapid rebalancing of its energy mix.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
Belgium’s federal parliament has adopted a law authorising the extension of Doel-4 and Tihange-3 reactors and allowing new nuclear construction, ending the nuclear phase-out policy established in 2003.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The re-elected Australian government is investing heavily in storage, critical minerals and domestic production to meet its target of 82% renewable electricity by 2030.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
The US House budget bill outlines a gradual phaseout of tax credits, affecting financing for solar, wind, storage, and clean hydrogen initiatives.
China's gas, oil and coal volumes remain above last year’s levels, despite a decline in April compared to the record highs of March.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The UK’s energy price cap is expected to fall to £1,720 ($2,187) in July, according to Cornwall Insight, due to recent movements in wholesale markets.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
The European Commission releases data on the REPowerEU plan, confirming a sharp drop in Russian fossil fuel purchases and announcing new legislative measures by June.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A partnership between the Indian government and GEAPP provides financial and operational support to early-stage climate-tech firms as part of a national energy strategy.
A $150mn financing package, including $100mn from the World Bank, will support the modernisation of Uzbekistan’s power grid and integration of renewable energy in key regions.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
A report from the Public Policy Forum calls for accelerating over 500 energy, critical minerals and infrastructure projects to generate CAD1 100bn in Canadian GDP growth.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
Quebec opens public consultation on draft regulations to revise gas standards and frame the integration of hydrogen, with feedback expected by 27 June.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Danish government is assessing the possibility of authorising new nuclear technologies, marking a major regulatory shift in energy policy after four decades of prohibition.
The Spanish government confirmed no signs of cyberattack were identified after the 28 April blackout that affected much of the Iberian Peninsula.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
South African authorities are advocating for an approach that integrates economic development and environmental protection, highlighting global imbalances in climate responsibility.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
The European Commission is considering changing environmental laws to accelerate the granting of permits for renewable energy projects across the European Union.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
Spain’s competition authority has launched its own investigation into the April 28 power outage, joining ongoing inquiries into an incident that disrupted 60% of the country's electricity consumption.
The U.S. Department of Energy will purchase three litres of helium-3 from Interlune by 2029, marking the first public contract involving a natural resource extracted from the lunar surface.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
Iran will limit daily power cuts to two hours for households starting May 10, aiming to ease pressure on the national electricity grid as temperatures climb.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
The French government has entrusted Bernard Fontana with the leadership of EDF, relying on his industrial background to manage the end of the Arenh and revive the nuclear programme.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.
Germany’s new Economy Minister, Katherina Reiche, plans 20 gigawatts of gas-fired plants to address the limits of renewable energy.

Advertising