Chinese CO2 Emissions may finally have peaked
China has quickly become a world leader in renewable energy, but its continued use of coal means it may take longer to reduce emissions.
Coal power plant in China.
Images by AerialPerspective/Getty Images
China's carbon emissions stabilized in 2025, indicating the country may have peaked after years of being the world's number one carbon dioxide emitter.
The plateau reflects how China record increase in wind power Solar energy and the proliferation of electric vehicles have reduced fossil fuel emissions, according to the nonprofit. Energy and Clean Air Research Center.
China accounts for about a third of all global greenhouse gas emissions, although the US has historically emitted more carbon. Russia, the USA and the European Union have long exhausted their “carbon budgetChina's rapid industrial growth – and its coal burning – means it is now close to running out of its own budget, too.
About supporting science journalism
If you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting our award-winning journalism. subscription. By purchasing a subscription, you help ensure a future of influential stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
China has become a global leader in renewable energy, but it also continues to add coal-fired power plants to meet growing electricity demand. However, if the fixed emissions level continues, Beijing could see Peak emissions ahead of stated target by 2030. However, reducing emissions from this peak may remain a challenge.
“[A prolonged plateau] will push the world further away from the Paris temperature goals,” said Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Center at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Climatewire from E&E News.
It's time to stand up for science
If you liked this article, I would like to ask for your support. Scientific American has been a champion of science and industry for 180 years, and now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.
I was Scientific American I have been a subscriber since I was 12, and it has helped shape my view of the world. science always educates and delights me, instills a sense of awe in front of our vast and beautiful universe. I hope it does the same for you.
If you subscribe to Scientific Americanyou help ensure our coverage focuses on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on decisions that threaten laboratories across the US; and that we support both aspiring and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.
In return you receive important news, fascinating podcastsbrilliant infographics, newsletters you can't missvideos worth watching challenging gamesand the world's best scientific articles and reporting. You can even give someone a subscription.
There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you will support us in this mission.
