China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with its emissions accounting for almost 30% of the global total. Over the past 30 years, China has become the world’s largest economy and a major industrial power, and its emissions have grown rapidly. Since 2005, China has been the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas driving climate change. China’s emissions have grown by more than 6% per year since 2000, driven by rising coal consumption and economic growth. In 2018, China’s energy–related CO2 emissions rose to 11.3 gigatonnes, the highest level in the world. This is more than double the emissions of the United States, the world’s second–largest emitter. China’s CO2 emissions are expected to continue to rise in the coming years, driven by its expanding economy, growing population and increasing energy demands. By 2030, China’s emissions are projected to reach 14.3 gigatonnes, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). China is also the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, which accounted for 59% of its energy consumption in 2018. China’s coal consumption has been steadily increasing since 2000, and is projected to reach 4.4 gigatonnes in 2030. Coal is the most carbon–intensive fossil fuel, and is responsible for 86% of China’s energy–related CO2 emissions. In addition to CO2 emissions, China is also a major source of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants are produced by burning coal, oil and other fossil fuels, and can cause a wide range of health problems, including asthma and other respiratory diseases. In recent years, China has taken steps to reduce its emissions and improve air quality. In 2017, China announced its “war on pollution” and has since implemented a number of policies to reduce its emissions, including shutting down coal–fired power plants, limiting the use of cars and trucks, and investing in renewable energy sources. Despite these efforts, China’s emissions are still growing and it remains the world’s largest polluter. In order to protect the environment and reduce its emissions, China needs to continue its efforts to transition to a low–carbon economy and invest in cleaner energy sources.
