Our image of China for the past several decades has been that of a booming economy and the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. In 2020, however, China’s leaders pledged to create 1,200 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. At that time, many thought this goal was unlikely to be met, just as most other countries were not hitting their national climate targets. Impressively, China has not only reached its goal, but achieved it in 2024, six years ahead of its target date.
China has emerged as the global leader in creating renewable energy power. For example, in 2022, it installed roughly as much solar photovoltaic capacity as the rest of the world. In 2023, it doubled its solar installations again, while increasing its wind capacity by 66 percent, and almost quadrupling its additions to energy storage.
China’s rapid economic growth was based on coal, with its concomitant air, soil, and water pollution. This in turn generated public unrest. China’s top leadership realized they needed to address these environmental issues and at the same time look for an opportunity to create an advanced technological future. Joining these together led to a focus on renewable technologies.