China coal production threatens climate goals: study

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🗞️ Driving the news: China's coal production is expanding rapidly, threatening the country’s climate goals and raising concerns over a significant rise in methane emissions, according to a study by Global Energy Monitor (GEM)
• Despite leading in renewable energy installations, China continues to rely heavily on coal, producing 50% of global output

🔭 The context: China plans to add 1.2 billion tonnes of new coal mining capacity, which could vastly increase its methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas
• Although China aims to peak emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2060, this coal expansion conflicts with those targets

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Methane emissions from coal mining could severely undermine global climate efforts, as methane is 2.6 times higher now than pre-industrial levels and more powerful than CO2 in short-term warming effects
• China’s refusal to join the Global Methane Pledge further complicates the global methane reduction goal

⏭️ What's next: China and the U.S. will address methane emissions at the upcoming UN climate talks in Baku
• The success of global climate efforts will heavily depend on China’s approach to coal and methane mitigation

💬 One quote: “If materialised, and without robust mitigation measures, this massive expansion will significantly increase methane emissions,” GEM warned

📈 One stat: China's methane emissions from coal mines were estimated at 20 million tons in 2023, but GEM suggests the real figure may be closer to 35 million tons

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