China’s reliance on coal-powered industry to propel its economic recovery threatens to undermine President Xi Jinping’s goal of reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2060, new research showed.
Lockdowns to stem the spread of coronavirus have cut CO2 emissions globally, but environmentalists warn that governments must pursue climate-friendly stimulus measures to kickstart growth or risk a post-pandemic rise in greenhouse gases.
China’s recovery has been led by the state-dominated industrial sector. Construction demand has spurred a rise in steel, aluminium and cement production of 13, 11 and 10 per cent, respectively, in October compared with the same period last year.