Helena Joyce
China is the world's leading producer of wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies, yet it is also the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gases (GHG) annually. In 2023, China released 11.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, with a reliance on coal power accounting for 70% of its electricity generation. China's emissions have tripled over the last three decades, and while the country has implemented initiatives to reduce emissions, such as the 2013 war on pollution and the 2021 carbon trading scheme, it still faces challenges in meeting its environmental goals.
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What You'll Learn
- China's CO2 emissions in 2023 were 11.9 billion metric tons
- China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019
- China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005
- China's gas consumption increased fourfold between 2009 and 2022
- China's per capita emissions are over 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per person per year
China's CO2 emissions in 2023 were 11.9 billion metric tons
One of the main reasons for China's high level of emissions is its reliance on coal as an energy source. Coal is the most polluting of energy sources and accounts for approximately 70% of China's electricity generation. China operates more than half of the world's coal plants, with 1,058 coal plants in operation. The country's rapid economic growth has also contributed to the rise in emissions, with a boom in manufacturing and an increase in energy demand.
China's emissions are dominated by the burning of fossil fuels for energy production and industrial production, such as cement manufacturing. The power sector is one of the largest sources of global CO2 emissions, and emissions from coal-fired electricity generation in China have soared in recent years, reaching 5.2 GtCO2 in 2023. China's emissions are expected to decline in 2024 due to record additions of low-carbon capacity and a rebound in hydro output following droughts.
While China is the largest emitter of CO2 emissions worldwide, it is important to note that the United States has released far more historical carbon dioxide emissions, with industrialization starting much earlier. Additionally, China's large population means that its per-person emissions are lower than those of the United States. However, China's emissions per person have been increasing, tripling over two decades.
China has vowed to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030. The country's commitment to reducing emissions is reflected in the recent growth of clean energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydropower. These efforts are crucial in combating climate change and meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 2°C.
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China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019
China's large population means that its per capita emissions are still far behind those of the US, but these too have increased, nearly tripling over two decades. China's per capita emissions in 2019 were 10.1 tons, compared to 17.6 tons/capita in the US. China's emissions in 2019 also exceeded those of all developed countries combined.
China's greenhouse gas emissions stem mainly from coal burning, including coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel. 79% of CO2 emissions are from coal burning, and Chinese state coal production alone accounts for 14% of historical global emissions. China is also the largest emitter of methane from coal mines, producing over 14% of global methane emissions. Methane and nitrous oxide are powerful greenhouse gases, produced through agricultural activities and leakages from oil and gas production.
China has vowed to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030. The Chinese national carbon trading scheme, which started in 2021, is an intensity-based trading system that creates a carbon market where emitters can buy and sell emission credits. This scheme will allow carbon emitters to reduce emissions or purchase emission allowances from other emitters.
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China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005
China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal and coal power. Coal is a cornerstone of the Chinese economy, representing 77% of China's primary energy production and fueling almost 80% of its electricity. China produces approximately 4.8 billion tons of coal per year, over half of the global total. China's coal consumption and production accounted for more than half of the world's total in 2021. China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005, with coal accounting for roughly 70% of the country's electricity generation. China's domestic coal output has more than doubled in the past decade, and its coal imports have increased sixtyfold.
China's coal imports have grown significantly in recent years, with the country overtaking Japan as the world's top importer in 2011. In 2012, China imported 182 million tons of coal from overseas suppliers, and this figure is expected to rise further by 2015. China's sudden entrance into the coal import markets can be attributed to various factors, including transportation bottlenecks, environmental and safety considerations, economic factors, and concerns about depleting coking coal reserves.
China's coal-fired power plants have a median age of 12 years, with most new plants being supercritical and ultra-supercritical, which are more efficient. However, less efficient subcritical plants still represent almost half of the country's operational coal-fired power fleet. China has not yet deployed carbon capture and storage technology at coal power plants on a large scale.
China's coal consumption contributes significantly to its CO2 emissions, which have more than tripled since 2000. China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019, exceeding the emissions of all developed nations combined. China's per-person emissions are lower than those of the US, but they have tripled over two decades. China aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030.
To reduce its coal consumption and emissions, China has set targets for coal use per kWh in electricity generation, making these targets more stringent over time. The country plans to "strictly control" coal use during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) and begin phasing it down during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). However, new coal mines and coal-fired power plants continue to be built due to concerns about energy security and power sector reliability.
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China's gas consumption increased fourfold between 2009 and 2022
China is the world's largest polluter, releasing 11.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023. The country's CO2 emissions have more than tripled since 2000, and China now produces more than twice the CO2 emissions of the United States each year. China's emissions also exceed those of all developed nations combined, with the country emitting 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019. China's heavy reliance on coal power, which accounts for roughly 70% of its electricity generation, is a significant contributor to its high level of emissions.
While China's gas consumption data for 2009 is not readily available, its natural gas consumption has been steadily increasing in recent years. In 2023, China's natural gas consumption increased by 7% compared to 2022, with a total consumption of 2.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) higher. This increase in gas consumption was driven by growth in all economic sectors, including residential, commercial, and electric power sectors.
The residential and commercial consumption of natural gas in China has been consistently increasing since 2014, almost tripling from 3.6 Bcf/d in 2014 to 9.3 Bcf/d in 2023. This shift from coal to natural gas for home heating has contributed to the overall rise in gas consumption. Additionally, the electric power sector's additional economic activity and new natural gas-fired capacity have further increased consumption.
China's domestic natural gas production provided 58% of its natural gas supply in 2023, averaging 21.7 Bcf/d, which was a 6% increase from the previous year. China also became the world's largest LNG importer in 2023 for the second time since 2021, importing 9.5 Bcf/d, a 13% increase from 2022. The major suppliers of LNG to China were Australia, Qatar, Russia, and Malaysia.
While the exact fourfold increase in gas consumption between 2009 and 2022 cannot be confirmed due to the lack of specific data for 2009, the trend of steadily rising gas consumption in China is evident, particularly in the years leading up to and including 2023. China's increasing gas consumption, along with its reliance on coal power, continues to impact its emissions output and its position as the world's largest polluter.
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China's per capita emissions are over 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per person per year
China is the world's largest polluter, with carbon dioxide emissions more than doubling those of the United States annually. This significant contribution to global emissions is largely due to the country's heavy reliance on coal power. China operates more than half of the world's total coal plants, making coal the primary source of energy for about 70% of the country's electricity generation.
The country's rapid economic growth has also contributed to its high per capita emissions. China's CO2 emissions have more than tripled since 2000, driven by increased energy consumption and fossil fuel use. While economic development has improved living standards, it has also led to higher energy demand and carbon intensity. China's energy intensity, or the amount of energy consumed per unit of GDP, is an essential metric for understanding its emissions output.
Additionally, China's per capita emissions are influenced by the structure of its economy and energy system. Certain sectors, such as transportation, industry, and residential heating, contribute significantly to the country's emissions. The transportation sector, dominated by oil-based vehicles, accounts for a large portion of emissions in most countries. Similarly, industrial processes, such as burning fossil fuels for heat and electricity generation, paper production, and steel manufacturing, release substantial amounts of CO2. Residential emissions are predominantly associated with fossil fuel heating and power generation.
It is important to note that China's per capita emissions do not include all sources of greenhouse gases. These figures primarily focus on CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion and cement production. Other significant contributors, such as methane leaks from agricultural activities and oil and gas operations, are not fully accounted for due to the challenges in measurement. Nonetheless, China's per capita emissions of over 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per person per year highlight the country's substantial contribution to global warming and the urgent need for emissions reduction.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gases (GHG). In 2023, China released 11.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, accounting for 35% of global CO2 emissions. China's per capita emissions correspond to over 10.1 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person each year.
The main sources of pollution in China include the burning of fossil fuels, industrial production, motor vehicles, coal power, coal mining, and blast furnaces producing iron and steel. China is heavily reliant on coal, with 79% of its CO2 emissions stemming from coal burning.
China has implemented various measures to reduce pollution, including shifting from coal to gas heating in homes and closing small coal-fired power plants near urban areas. China is also the world's leading investor in wind turbines and renewable energy technologies, with a focus on improving green infrastructure.
China has experienced severe air pollution, particularly in major cities, due to its high levels of emissions. The country has recognized the need to improve its environmental quality and has set goals to reduce energy consumption and increase the use of renewable energy sources.
China's emissions exceed those of all developed nations combined, with its emissions more than tripling over the previous three decades. In 2019, China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases, while the US emitted 11% and India 6.6%. China's emissions per person are lower than those of the US, but they have been increasing over time.
