China promotes coal in setback for efforts to cut emissions

[Sherman A1]

BEIJING — China is promoting coal-fired power as the ruling Communist Party tries to revive a sluggish economy, prompting warnings Beijing is setting back efforts to cut climate-changing carbon emissions from the biggest global source.

Official plans call for boosting coal production capacity by 300 million tons this year, according to news reports. That is equal to 7% of last year's output of 4.1 billion tons, which was an increase of 5.7% over 2020.

China is one of the biggest investors in wind and solar, but jittery leaders called for more coal-fired power after economic growth plunged last year and shortages caused blackouts and factory shutdowns. Russia's attack on Ukraine added to anxiety that foreign oil and coal supplies might be disrupted.

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/25/1094586702/china-promotes-coal-in-setback-for-efforts-to-cut-emissions

[patphil]

1. Read the article. China burned 4.4 billion tons of coal last year.

And they are planning to build more coal fired plants to stimulate their stagnant economy. They also contribute 26.1% of the world's global emissions.
The goals of the Paris environmental accord can't be met without China, and they are committed to coal for the next several decades.
They claim to be carbon neutral by 2060, but I seriously doubt they'll come close to that goal with their continued reliance on coal.
Our children, and our children's children's children will pay the price for China's continued adherence to a coal fired economy.

[NickB79]

2. I've said it before: Coal is a jobs program in China

The Chinese government knows that coal employs millions of poor, rural Chinese men. Without coal mining, they would be unemployed and angry. The LAST thing China wants is any hint of dissent in the populace. So they're willing to throw money at otherwise unprofitable industries, like coal mining, as a welfare system to keep the people happy.