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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Economist or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: China's carbon dioxide emissions may have peaked, marking a potential turning point in global climate efforts
• This development is attributed to a significant expansion in renewable energy capacity, including wind, solar, and nuclear power, which has begun to offset the country's reliance on coal
• In 2024, China added wind and solar capacity equivalent to the UK's entire electricity output, and electric vehicles accounted for over half of new car sales for three consecutive months
🔭 The context: Historically, China's rapid economic growth has been fueled by coal, leading to it becoming the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases
• However, recent trends indicate a shift, with a 1% year-on-year decrease in CO₂ emissions in the first quarter of 2025, the first such decline linked directly to clean energy expansion
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: China's emissions trajectory is critical to global climate goals. If its emissions have indeed peaked, this could significantly enhance the world's chances of limiting global warming to 1.5°C
• Moreover, China's leadership in renewable energy deployment sets a precedent for other nations, potentially accelerating the global transition to clean energy
⏭️ What's next: The sustainability of this emissions decline depends on China's economic policies and energy strategies
• While the expansion of clean energy is promising, the continued construction of coal-fired power plants poses a risk
• Upcoming policy decisions, including China's next set of emissions targets and the outcome of international climate negotiations, will be pivotal in determining the long-term impact of this potential emissions peak
💬 One quote: "China is leading against all of its competitors when it comes to green technology," Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Policy Institute
📈 One stat: In 2024, China installed a record 293 GW of wind and solar generating capacity, with solar and wind capacity surpassing coal-fired electricity capacity for the first time
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