International: China
China mining ban adds to Bitcoin's environmental footprint: study
28 Feb 2022
Despite a crackdown on Bitcoin in China last year, mining the largest cryptocurrency actually got much dirtier and emits around the same amount of CO2 annually as a country the size of Greece, a new study shows.
290 million new city dwellers benefit China's climate balance
24 Feb 2022
Contrary to popular belief, China's massive emigration from rural areas to cities has been shown to have a positive effect on China's carbon stocks. Urbanization can even play a role in attaining climate neutrality. This is the conclusion of University of Copenhagen researchers based upon analyses of vast amounts of satellite data.
Covid shutdown linked to record rainfall in China
22 Feb 2022
Scientists say that a rapid drop in emissions because of Covid played a key role in record rainfall in China in 2020. The decline in greenhouse gases and small particles called aerosols caused atmospheric changes that intensified the downpours.
China's steelmakers get 5 more years to reach peak carbon output
11 Feb 2022
China has scrapped an ambitious push for its steel industry to reach maximum carbon emissions by 2025, pushing the deadline back five years in final guidelines published this week.
Beijing expected to relaunch the China Certified Emission Reduction scheme
1 Feb 2022
What is the China Certified Emission Reduction scheme and why is it important for Beijing’s carbon neutral goal? The South China Morning Post journalist Yujie Xue explains.
Cutting carbon to take backseat to ‘normal life’ in China: Xi Jinping
27 Jan 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated the Asian superpower’s low carbon desires must not get in the way of ‘normal life’.
Slow phasing out of polluting cars a drag on China’s climate targets
25 Jan 2022
“There are 9-million bicycles in Beijing, that’s a fact.” The opening lyrics to that 2005 hit song was a conservative estimate back then, and today millions of those bicycles have been replaced by planet-warming cars.
Ozone-destroying greenhouse gas emissions from China increased significantly: Study
24 Dec 2021
Emissions of industrially produced chlorocarbon, dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), increased in China from 2011-2019, a new study established. The emissions grew to 628 gigagrams (Gg) per year in 2019 from 231 Gg per year in 2011 in the country, with an average annual increase of 13% primarily from eastern China.
China ETS reduces carbon but needs map to cap-and-trade based system: study
23 Dec 2021
China’s regional emissions trading scheme (ETS) pilots were effective in reducing companies’ carbon emissions in the early trading phase, despite low carbon prices and infrequent allowance trading, according to Chinese researchers.
2022 is a year to call out greenwashing in China: Bloomburg
21 Dec 2021
If China chooses a phrase of the year for 2021,“carbon neutrality” has to be on the shortlist.
China’s Alibaba pledges carbon neutrality by 2030
20 Dec 2021
Alibaba Group will aim to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations and slash emissions across its supply chains and transportation networks by the end of the decade, the Chinese e-commerce giant pledged on Friday.
China's carbon emissions fall for first time since COVID lockdowns: report
26 Nov 2021
China's CO2 emissions fell in the third quarter for the first time since the country reopened from COVID-19 lockdowns, research published Thursday showed, in what experts said could mark a carbon "turning point" for the country.
China creates vast research infrastructure to support ambitious climate goals
23 Nov 2021
China, the world’s top carbon emitter, has for the first time published plans broadly outlining how it might achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, and a peak of emissions before 2030 — promises it made in 2019.
Don’t be too critical on China for changing pledge on coal: EU climate chief
18 Nov 2021
The EU’s climate chief told CNBC that he “wouldn’t be too critical of China” when it comes to assessing negotiations at the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland.
With models under $5,000, China accounts for half the world's electric car sales
22 Oct 2021
Soaring sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in China are driving the global trend away from combustion engines, the latest figures show.
China's coal convulsion threatens climate goals
13 Oct 2021
China's energy crisis is a wild card in the fraught efforts to secure a meaningful deal at the UN climate summit in Glasgow.
China to set up standards of carbon neutrality
11 Oct 2021
China is planning to set up and improve the standards of carbon peak and neutrality, according to an official outline published last week.
China's belt and road policies could hurt environment and indigenous communities
28 Sep 2021
A new study has found that up to 60% of China's development projects pose a threat to indigenous communities and the environment.
China signs up to hydrofluorocarbons treaty
23 Sep 2021
China began enforcing the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol last week—and the climate implications are huge
China to stop funding overseas coal projects
23 Sep 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China would no longer fund the construction of new coal-fired power projects overseas, surprising the world on climate for the second straight year at the United Nations General Assembly.
Climate experts fear Aukus will dash hopes of China emissions deal
17 Sep 2021
The timing of the new defence deal between the US, UK and Australia has dismayed climate experts, who fear it could have a negative effect on hopes of a deal with China on greenhouse gas emissions ahead of vital UN climate talks.
China has carbon neutral goals, but at local level old habits die hard
30 Aug 2021
China is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2060, and for its carbon emissions to peak by 2030. But its initial efforts have been undermined regionally, partly by provinces continuing to launch high-energy and high-emissions projects.
China to increase carbon sinks in the ocean
27 Aug 2021
China's environmental authority vowed on Thursday to promote the capability of carbon sinks in the ocean as a key part of the country's efforts to confront climate change and fulfill its goals to achieve carbon peak before 2030.
China’s new carbon trading market isn’t working
24 Aug 2021
The price of emissions credits in China’s carbon trading market reached a record low on Aug. 20, the latest sign that the market’s structural flaws are preventing it from working as an effective weapon against climate change.
China's carbon market records its first cross-border deal
16 Aug 2021
Even as trading on China's national carbon market dwindled away in its first month to next to nothing, one sign of life emerged this week in the form of an unusual cross-border deal for a voluntary form of carbon emission credits.
China avoids coal projects in Belt and Road for first time
28 Jul 2021
China didn't finance any coal projects via its Belt and Road Initiative in the first half, the first time that's happened since the plan was launched in 2013, the International Institute of Green Finance said in a report.
Introducing China’s carbon market
23 Jul 2021
Last week, China announced the launch of its national carbon emissions trading market. How does it work?
China's carbon market tops 210 million yuan in first-day trading
19 Jul 2021
China's national carbon market, the largest emissions trading system in the world, made its debut on Friday with a turnover of 210 million yuan for carbon dioxide emissions on the first day
China to launch ETS this month
15 Jul 2021
China is set to launch its carbon emissions trading scheme this month.
China's extreme weather warnings avoid talk of climate change
14 Jul 2021
As unprecedented heatwaves sweep across large parts of the Northern Hemisphere, China is telling its people to brace for another summer of dangerous floods and droughts.
Powerful Chinese agency put in charge of climate change
7 Jul 2021
China’s top economic planning body has been put in charge of devising a plan for the world’s biggest polluter to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Fact check: Is China the main climate change culprit?
1 Jul 2021
China currently releases more carbon emissions than any other country — leading many to believe it bears the greatest responsibility for climate change. However, the situation is more complex than it seems.
The US$2000 EV ute
15 Jun 2021
In the wake of the Government's feebate announcement, there's been plenty of talk about the lack of EV utes, but as MotorBiscuit reports there's always the niftily named CLZKC-009, costing just US$2000.
China tempers climate change efforts
10 Jun 2021
China’s top economic planners have put the brakes on attempts by environmental officials to reduce carbon emissions as driving growth takes priority over meeting climate targets for now.
China to launch carbon trading market next month
27 May 2021
China plans to launch a nationwide carbon trading market by June, an official said on Wednesday, showing strengthening efforts to reach the country's ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2060.
Greening the world's largest energy grid
20 May 2021
One of the most pressing challenges for China to meet its pledge to cap carbon emissions this decade and pivot toward renewables is overhauling its electricity grid, the world’s largest, officials and analysts say.
Solar panel industry uses forced Uyghur labour
17 May 2021
China's Xinjiang region has evolved over the past two decades into a major production hub for many of the companies that supply the world with parts needed to build solar panels.
China slams European border levy proposal
20 Apr 2021
Chinese President Xi Jinping slammed the European Union’s plan for a carbon border levy in a call with the leaders of France and Germany on Friday (16 April), according to state media.
The decline of coal in China
9 Apr 2021
When President Xi Jinping committed China to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 at the UN General Assembly, this was good news for many, including electric vehicle manufacturers and the renewable energies industries. One sector that stands to lose is the coal industry.
Bitcoin emissions threaten China's climate targets
8 Apr 2021
China powers nearly 80 per cent of the global cryptocurrencies trade, but the energy required could jeopardise its pledge to peak carbon emissions by 2030.
China to cut energy intensity, but no consumption cap
8 Mar 2021
China will cut energy intensity but has stopped short of setting a cap on energy use in its new development plan.
China’s dirty covid-19 recovery
2 Mar 2021
Official Chinese government figures show energy, steel and cement consumption rose in 2020, pushing emissions up as Beijing is expected to reveal its 2025 targets.
China’s energy agency floats increase in renewables target
12 Feb 2021
China’s National Energy Administration is considering an increase in the ambition of the country’s clean energy programme this decade.
China’s crackdown on illegal CFC gases is working
11 Feb 2021
A Chinese government crackdown on producers and buyers of illegal CFC gases is working, research has found.
China might ban coal-power investment abroad
4 Dec 2020
China’s environment ministry is proposing a crackdown on state involvement in building coal power plants abroad, in a report co-authored with international green groups.
European states ordered to respond to climate suit
1 Dec 2020
The European court of human rights has ordered 33 European governments to respond to a landmark climate lawsuit lodged by six youth campaigners, the Guardian has learned.
China to force firms to report use of plastic in new recycling push
1 Dec 2020
Restaurants, e-commerce platforms and delivery firms will be forced to report their utilisation of single-use plastics to the authorities and also submit formal recycling plans, China's commerce ministry said in proposals published on Monday.
China hits out at US climate record
20 Oct 2020
China has slammed the United States’ environmental and climate record, in an extraordinary public attack less than two weeks before Americans go to the polls.
How China can be carbon-neutral by 2060
20 Oct 2020
Three weeks after China told the world it is aiming for carbon neutrality, an important study outlines a roadmap to that goal, and challenges along the way.
China's new climate goal could transform global heating
30 Sep 2020
If China hits its new emissions goal of going carbon-neutral before 2060, it will bring down global warming projections by around 0.2deg to 0.3 degrees Celsius, says Carbon Action Tracker.
Companies could have profits from breaking environment laws stripped under Australian reforms
Thu 23 Oct 2025
The Albanese government wants the power to strip companies of any financial gains made from breaking environment laws, as part of a package of landmark reforms to be put before parliament in the next two weeks.
How veterans of Al Gore's firm plan to align on climate and still profit
Thu 23 Oct 2025
A new investment firm is betting on a big idea: There's no collision between prioritising both climate and returns despite the recent vibe shift – if you do the homework.
The methane hunters of Melendugno
Thu 23 Oct 2025
How Italian activists are fighting to expose the true scale of the climate harm caused by a giant European pipeline.
UK Prime Minister will attend Brazil climate summit
Tue 21 Oct 2025
Keir Starmer will travel to the Amazon rainforest for the COP30 United Nations climate summit next month, Downing Street has confirmed, after weeks of speculation that he would not.
Renewables are a global economic engine, not a culture war threat
2 Oct 2025
Energy companies are learning this lesson faster than Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Indonesia restarts international carbon trade after four years
17 Oct 2025
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new decree to restart international carbon emission trading after a four year hiatus.
Mystery heatwave warms Pacific Ocean to new record
Tue 21 Oct 2025
The waters of the north Pacific have had their warmest summer on record, according to BBC analysis of a mysterious marine heatwave that has confounded climate scientists.
Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica
13 Oct 2025
Planet-heating methane is escaping from cracks in the Antarctic seabed as the region warms, with new seeps being discovered at an “astonishing rate".
Angola lowers climate ambition in blow to spirit of Paris Agreement
14 Oct 2025
Angola has scaled back its targets for reducing emissions in its new national climate plan, saying it chose “realism and implementability” over the Paris Agreement's calls for governments to set progressively more ambitious goals.
Brazil's Indigenous battle with a dry Amazon rainforest
Thu 23 Oct 2025
As pastures and thirsty crops dry up the Amazon, Indigenous people try to adapt traditional farming methods.
Just 28% of countries have released nature pledges a year after UN deadline
Thu 23 Oct 2025
Only 28% of countries have met a UN call to submit new plans on addressing nature loss – a year after the original deadline.
