Report: Significant CO2 Produced by China's Overseas Power Plants

Photo: Reuters

The Facts

  • Research published Tuesday from Boston University's Global Development Policy Center (GDPC) showed carbon dioxide emissions from China-invested power plants overseas now stand at an estimated 245M tons per year — approximately the annual energy-related CO2 emissions of Thailand or Spain.

  • The research findings indicated that Chinese companies and government-run investment banks have financed as much as 171.6 GW of overseas power generation capacity across 648 power plants in 92 nations.


The Spin

Pro-China narrative

China is a world leader in the renewable energy sector and can build on its leadership by providing technical support and capacity building for developing nations. With its fully renewable energy industrial chain — including manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance —capability, China has and will continue to promote green tech in developing nations.

Anti-China narrative

China became the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide in 2006 and is now responsible for more than 25% of the world's overall greenhouse gas emissions. Without big reductions in the PRC's emissions, the world cannot win the fight against climate change, and Beijing has not clearly stated how it will achieve these goals.

Nerd narrative

There's a 25% chance China will be the first country to develop practical nuclear fusion, according to the Metaculus prediction community.



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