Beijing keeps generating and burning coal, while also controlling the global market for solar panels
last year promising to decrease its reliance on coal over the next five years. Again, it’s track record thus far has been a bit of a mixed bag., Chinese coal-plant permits increased in the first half of 2022, though “announcements of new projects, construction initiations and completions slowed down.” At the same time, investments in coal-fired generators and blast furnaces “continue at a high level that is not aligned with China’s carbon goals.
Just last week, China’s lead climate negotiator, Xie Zhenhua, accused the West of failing to live up to its commitments, saying that, “The climate policies of some European countries have shown a backswing,” while China’s efforts stand in sharp “contrast with the European Union.” The goal: