China is the world’s leading emitter of heat-trapping gases by a wide margin. Its policies for limiting emissions will have a significant impact on the global climate for decades to come.
This Guide to Chinese Climate Policy provides information on China’s emissions, the impacts of climate change in China, the history of China’s climate change policies and China’s response to climate change today.
Solar Power in China
China leads the world in solar power, with more than one-third of global solar capacity. In 2021, 53 GW of solar power capacity was added in China—40% of the global total.
Coal Consumption in China
China uses more coal than the rest of the world combined. In 2021, more than 20% of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels came from coal combustion in China.
Forestry in China
Forests cover large parts of southern China and much of China’s far northeast. China’s Natural Forest Conservation Program includes massive tree-planting programs, an expansion of forest reserves and a ban on logging in primary forests. Most new forest growth in China is in monoculture plantations.