China’s emissions from energy and industry fell in 2025 as a surge in solar generation met a larger share of rising power demand.
The Financial Times reported that the 0.3 per cent decline came despite a 3.5 per cent rise in total energy consumption, according to official statistics released at the weekend.
The stats said the share of clean power generation reached 40 per cent in 2025, up from 37 per cent the previous year, driven mainly by solar which overtook wind generation.
The figures lay the ground for Beijing’s continued support for renewables and clean technology industries when it signs off its five-year plan at a meeting next week.
The world’s biggest emitter remains heavily reliant on coal, although coal’s share of total energy consumption fell marginally, according to the FT.
Total coal consumption was 0.1 per cent higher, despite accounting for a slightly lower amount of power generation.
Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, stated coal use in the chemical sector was probably reflected in the rise.
Myllyvirta said: “Because of the fall in cement production, in particular, the revised definition of carbon intensity will give China space to emit a bit more CO₂ while meeting the 2030 climate commitment.”