China China

China holds onto the 51st spot in this year’s CCPI. It remains among the low performing countries. The country receives a very low rating in the GHG Emissions and Energy Use categories, while it receives a medium in Renewable Energy and Climate Policy.

China’s plans of a GHG emissions peak in 2030 are unchanged. It aims for carbon neutrality by 2060. Despite that, it has not updated its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in three years.

China is increasing its renewable energy targets

Overall, the CCPI country experts welcome China’s climate policies, especially the growing renewable energy sector and energy efficiency measures. China is increasing its renewable energy targets. The country is on track to produce 1,200 GW of wind and solar power by 2025, reaching its 2030 goal five years ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, coal power continues to expand, and it’s still uncertain whether coal use will peak in 2024.

In the transport sector, the share of electric cars in total domestic auto sales reached 29% in 2022, exceeding its 2025 target several years earlier. China’s energy demand is expected to rise by more than 12% in 2030 compared with 2021, this is also reflected in China’s very low rating in Energy Use.

China is among the biggest coal producers

China is among the 20 countries with the largest developed oil and gas reserves. It’s also among the nine countries responsible for 90% of global coal production. China also plans to increase its gas production by 2030 (compared with 2019 levels). This is incompatible with the 1.5°C target. The experts note that economic growth’s slowing in China led to there being no announcements regarding more ambitious climate targets in the current year.

In international climate politics, the experts welcome the support of developing countries, note a stronger focus on green energy projects in 2023, and call for a continuation of this trend. The experts also stress the importance of China taking a leading role in climate policy.

Key Outcomes

  • China holds on to the 51st spot in this year’s CCPI
  • The country is on track to produce 1,200 GW of wind and solar power by 2025, reaching its 2030 goal five years ahead of schedule
  • The renewable energy sector and energy efficiency measures are growing

 

CCPI experts

National experts that contributed to the policy evaluation of this year’s CCPI chose to remain anonymous.

 

Key Indicators

CCPI 2024: Target comparison