New study shows China’s CO2 emissions have likely peaked early

Surprising statistics have been found by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) that China's carbon dioxide emissions have been flat or falling for 18 months, and sustained evidence suggests that the world’s largest emitter has managed to hit its peak ahead of its official 2030 schedule.

The surge in solar and wind power generation, which grew by 46% and 11% respectively in the third quarter of this year, primarily meant that the country’s energy sector emissions remained flat, even as electricity demand increased.

China sets renewable record with remarkable performance

The rapid expansion of renewables is a key factor with record additions in 2025. China has added 240GW of solar capacity in the first nine months of this year and 61 GW of wind, while putting it on track to set another renewable record in 2025.

It has been observed that the country installed 333GW of solar, more than the remaining countries combined.

Meanwhile, the detailed analysis presented by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), found that China's CO2 emissions were flat year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025.

This was due to the declining emissions from the travel, cement, and steel industries

In this connection, the Brazilian diplomat and president of Cop30 applauded Chinese progress on green technologies, saying, “China is coming up with solutions that are for everyone, not just China, and rich countries that had lost their enthusiasm for tackling the climate crisis.”

China remains on track to meet climate targets

China has a mixed record of delivering renewable energy targets, and the country's dual carbon goals are peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.

The country released its latest climate targets in September and pledged to reduce entire greenhouse gas emissions by between 7% and 10% of their peak by 2035.

Experts were of the view that those targets were too timid to avert global catastrophe and a long way from the 30% reduction that is feasible and compulsory.

On the contrary, China has an unprecedented record of understating and overdelivering on meeting climate targets.

China is playing a crucial role to achieve the desired goal of peak emissions targets ahead of schedule.

Oil emissions in the transport sector fell by 5% in the third quarter, but overall oil demand grew by 10% in line with the increased production of plastics and other chemicals.

China is on track and has been effectively contributing to boost global climate efforts.

Additionally, steep reductions will be mandatory to hit its 2030 goal of mitigating carbon intensity by 65%, in comparison with 2005.