Original Report: www.nytimes.com(full story)
Recent preliminary data suggests that while global carbon emissions are rising, China’s emissions may be peaking, marking a significant shift in the climate narrative as China moves towards reduced carbon output ahead of other nations. The decline in costs of solar, wind, and battery technology, combined with increased climate advocacy and policy support, has driven a remarkable rise in green energy technologies. However, while many celebrate this as a global success, China’s influence is dominating progress in the green transition.
In 2023, global solar power installations amounted to 425 gigawatts, with China accounting for 263 gigawatts. Without China, the rest of the world installed only 162 gigawatts. The contrast is stark: China has increased its solar capacity significantly over recent years, while the growth of solar power outside China has been much slower, albeit increasing. An analysis shows that outside of China, the yearly installations have remained relatively flat over five years, revealing a reliance on China for the acceleration in solar energy adoption. Therefore, China’s role is pivotal in driving the global solar boom.
