- China has stepped up spending on coal in the face of extreme weather, a domestic energy crunch and rising global fuel prices — raising concerns Beijing’s policies may hinder the fight against climate change.
- The push to shore up coal power — which still makes up most of China’s energy supply — has alarmed analysts who warn that it will make an eventual transition to a renewables-dominated energy mix more difficult.
- Spooked by an energy shortage last autumn, Chinese authorities in spring ordered coal producers to add 300 million tons of mining capacity this year — the equivalent of an extra month of coal production for the country.
China doubles down on coal as energy crunch bites
