Kiera Jefferson
China is currently the world's largest polluter, emitting 11.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, more than double the amount emitted by the US. China's carbon emissions peaked in 2020 at 10,778 Mt, due to a rapid increase in oil and natural gas emissions, as well as the growth of coal and cement emissions. China's energy endowment, energy production, and consumption structure all play a role in its high carbon emissions. Coal is the most important energy source in China, contributing to over half of its total energy production and consumption, and emitting harmful pollutants such as SO2, black carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. While China has implemented measures to reduce air pollution, such as the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan in 2013, and has become a leader in renewable energy deployment, its emissions continue to rise, prompting concerns about its impact on the global climate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year China became the world's largest polluter | 2000 |
| China's annual carbon dioxide emissions | 11.5 billion tonnes |
| China's annual carbon dioxide emissions from coal | 7.96 billion tonnes |
| China's contribution to global CO2 emissions | 28% |
| China's energy endowment | Coal is the most important energy source |
| China's clean energy technology exports | Africa's largest bilateral partner |
| China's renewable energy sources | Solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric energy facilities |
| China's environmental protection efforts | Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) in 2013 |
| China's commitment to carbon neutrality | By 2060 |
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What You'll Learn
China's carbon emissions and energy sources
China is currently the world's largest polluter, producing 28% of global carbon emissions—this figure has risen to 30% in other estimates. The country's emissions declined in the 12 months up to May 2025, which would be the first time emissions have fallen even as demand for power across the Chinese economy grew. This is a potentially game-changing milestone in the fight against climate change.
China's carbon peak time is controlled by its energy endowment, as well as energy production and consumption structure. Coal is still the most important energy source in China, contributing 67.5% and 56.9% of total primary energy production and energy consumption, respectively. Coal emissions have been declining since 2012, and have been lower than 70% since 2018. China's carbon emissions did rebound after 2016, surpassing the previous peak of 2013 in 2018 and achieving the largest emissions ever in 2020. This was due to a rapid increase in oil and natural gas emissions and the resumed growth of coal and cement emissions.
China has invested significant sums into efforts to reduce air pollution. In 2013, China's Academy for Environmental Planning pledged $277 billion to combat urban air pollution. In the first batch of 74 cities that implemented the 2012 Environmental Air Quality Standards, the average concentration of PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide dropped by 42% and 68% respectively between 2013 and 2018. In a 1997 report, the World Bank stated that "hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness have been caused by exposure to industrial air pollution". More recent reports have put the number of premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution at 350,000–400,000 per year, with an additional 300,000 dying due to poor-quality indoor air and 60,000 dying from poor water quality.
China has, rather quietly, been leading the world in the development of clean energy technologies. It is the largest investor, producer, and consumer of renewable energy worldwide. China manufactures state-of-the-art solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy facilities, and is the world's largest producer of electric cars and buses. One out of every three solar panels and wind turbines in the world is in China. Chinese companies lead the world in making green tech, including wind turbines and solar panels, accounting for some 60% and 80% of global output, respectively. China is also the world's dominant manufacturer of battery-powered vehicles.
Under the Paris Agreement framework, China has committed to reducing its carbon intensity by more than 65% from 2005 levels, with a deadline of 2030. China's President Xi Jinping has also pledged that China would become carbon neutral by 2060.
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The impact of industrial pollution
China is the world's largest polluter, producing 28% of the world's emissions—more than the United States and the European Union combined. The country's carbon peak time is controlled by its energy endowment, as well as energy production and consumption structure. Coal is still the most important energy source in China, contributing 67.5% and 56.9% of total primary energy production and energy consumption, respectively. The combustion of coal emits CO2, as well as air pollutants such as SO2, black carbon (BC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Industrial pollution is a significant contributor to global pollution levels, particularly in rapidly industrializing nations. It includes water, air, and soil pollution resulting from the improper disposal of industrial waste and emissions. The impact of industrial pollution on the environment and human health has been detrimental. It has led to the degradation of soil, water, and air quality, causing serious health issues and even premature deaths.
In China, high levels of air pollution in cities are estimated to cause 350,000–400,000 premature deaths annually. Additionally, 300,000 people die due to poor indoor air quality, and another 60,000 die from diseases caused by water-borne pollution. The World Bank reported in 1997 that hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and incidents of serious respiratory illness were caused by exposure to industrial air pollution in China. Chinese environmental experts in 2005 projected that annual premature deaths attributable to outdoor air pollution would likely reach 550,000 by 2020.
However, China has made efforts to reduce pollution and is now a leader in clean energy technology. In 2013, China's Academy for Environmental Planning pledged $277 billion to combat urban air pollution, and the country is now Africa's largest bilateral partner for clean energy projects. China is also the world's largest producer of electric cars. In a speech before the UN General Assembly in 2020, President Xi Jinping pledged that China would become carbon neutral by 2060, a commitment that could significantly benefit the global fight against climate change.
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China's clean energy transition
China is the world's largest polluter, producing 28% of the world's emissions, more than the United States and the European Union combined. The country's carbon peak time is controlled by its energy endowment, as well as energy production and consumption structure. Coal is still the most important energy source in China, contributing 67.5% and 56.9% of total primary energy production and energy consumption, respectively. However, China has also become a world leader in the transition to clean energy.
China has been leading the world in the development of clean energy technologies, making possible its plan to become carbon neutral. It is the largest investor, producer, and consumer of renewable energy worldwide. China manufactures state-of-the-art solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy facilities, and is the world's largest producer of electric cars and buses. One out of every three solar panels and wind turbines in the world is in China, and it is the global leader in the production of batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. China has also become a global powerhouse in clean energy production, with a 60% global market share in exports of EV battery makers in 2023.
China's technological advancements and ability to rapidly achieve economies of scale in clean energy production have reduced the cost of these technologies, threatening fossil fuel competitors and allowing China to export its clean energy technology to other developing countries. For example, China is Africa's largest bilateral partner for the continent's clean energy projects. By the end of 2020, more than 10% of Africa's total power generation capacity was in clean energy projects developed through Chinese financial backing and constructed by Chinese companies.
China has also made significant investments in its green transition, spending more than twice as much as any other country in 2023. The country has also taken steps to reform its national electricity system, with the National Development and Reform Commission announcing plans to create a unified national power market by 2030. This will merge China's six regional grids into one nationwide electricity market, better managing fluctuations in supply and demand and enhancing its position as the global leader in installed capacity for renewables.
China has set ambitious targets for reducing its carbon emissions, with President Xi Jinping pledging that China would become carbon neutral by 2060. To achieve this, China must curtail its carbon emissions by around 90% and offset the rest through natural systems or technologies that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit. China's internal efforts alone could significantly impact global warming projections, reducing them by 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Celsius.
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Air pollution control measures
China has been the world's largest polluter since at least 2013, when it contributed more than 70% of the total emissions in almost two decades. The country has gained a reputation for being one of the most polluted countries in the world, with air pollution causing 350,000–400,000 premature deaths annually. Another 300,000 die because of poor-quality indoor air, and there are 60,000 premature deaths from poor water quality.
China has invested significant sums into efforts to reduce air pollution, and has made some progress in recent years. The following paragraphs will discuss some of the air pollution control measures that China has implemented.
Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP)
In 2013, China's government initiated the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) to address serious air pollution episodes. The plan aimed to reduce the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and targeted multiple sectors, marking a transition to an air-quality-oriented strategy. China's PM2.5 concentration decreased from 69.8 μg m−3 in 2013 to 47.0 μg m−3 in 2017, and further down to 33 μg m−3 in 2020, a 33% decrease.
National Air Quality Action Plan (2013)
China's National Air Quality Action Plan, which expired in 2017, included measures such as controlling vehicle emissions by restricting the number of cars on the road in large cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Each of these cities has a quota on the number of new license plates issued annually, capping the number of cars on the road. China also suspended the production of 553 car models that did not meet fuel economy standards in 2017.
War on Pollution
In 2014, China announced a "War on Pollution," and has made significant progress in reducing pollution. By 2021, after eight years of fighting, China had cut particulate pollution by 39.8% and smog by 12%. If these improvements are sustained, the life expectancy of people in China could increase by up to 2 years.
Energy Transition
China has been transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. Millions of homes and businesses are switching from coal to natural gas, and China is the world's largest producer of electric cars. China is also a leader in renewable energy technologies, such as state-of-the-art solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy facilities.
Afforestation
China has been increasing its forest cover, with afforestation measures contributing to the reduction of air pollution.
While China has implemented various measures to control air pollution, it is important to note that the country still faces challenges in improving air quality and meeting its carbon neutrality goals.
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China's climate commitments
China is the world's largest polluter, producing 28% of the world's emissions, which is more than the United States and the European Union combined. Coal is the most important energy source in China, contributing 67.5% of total primary energy production. However, China is also the largest investor, producer, and consumer of renewable energy worldwide. It manufactures state-of-the-art solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric energy facilities, and is the world's largest producer of electric cars and buses.
China's commitment to tackling climate change has been questioned, with some arguing that the country is not doing enough to reduce its emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. In 2015, China's State Council announced that the country's energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP had decreased significantly over the previous decade. China has also been working to increase the percentage of non-fossil fuel energy sources in its energy mix. However, critics argue that China needs to do more to reduce its dependence on coal and set ambitious targets for absolute emission reductions.
In 2020, China's President Xi Jinping announced that the country would become carbon neutral by 2060. This was the world's single largest climate commitment at the time. To achieve this goal, China must reduce its carbon emissions by around 90% and offset the remaining emissions through natural systems or technologies that absorb more carbon than they emit. China has also pledged to submit its 2035 NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) before COP30, covering all economic sectors and greenhouse gases.
While China's commitments are a step in the right direction, there are concerns about the lack of details and official guidelines to support these pledges. China's next five-year plan, covering 2021-2025, is expected to indicate the country's level of commitment to the economic, industrial, and environmental changes necessary for a transition away from fossil fuels. China's existing targets are rated as ""highly insufficient"" by the Climate Action Tracker, indicating that they are not consistent with the Paris Agreement's temperature limit goals.
China's ability to achieve its climate goals will have a significant impact on the global fight against climate change. The country's technological advancements and ability to achieve economies of scale in clean energy production have reduced the cost of these technologies, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. China is also Africa's largest bilateral partner for clean energy projects, and its internal efforts to become carbon neutral could reduce global warming projections by 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Celsius.
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Frequently asked questions
China became the world's largest polluter in 2023, accounting for over 27% of total global emissions.
The main sources of pollution in China are industrial emissions, coal consumption, and vehicle emissions. China is the world's largest producer of electric cars, but it also has a high number of vehicles with poor fuel efficiency.
The high levels of air pollution in China's cities cause an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 premature deaths each year. Additionally, 300,000 people die due to poor indoor air quality, and 60,000 die from water-borne diseases caused by poor water quality.
China has implemented various measures to reduce pollution, including the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) in 2013 and the Three-Year Action Plan for Winning the Blue Sky Defence Battle in 2018. China is also investing heavily in renewable energy sources and is the largest investor, producer, and consumer of renewable energy worldwide.
As the world's largest polluter, China's internal efforts to reduce carbon emissions could have a significant impact. If successful, China's pledge to become carbon neutral by 2060 could reduce global warming projections by 0.2 to 0.3 degrees Celsius.
