China has for the first time fully met its growing electricity demand using renewable sources.

China recorded its first decline in fossil fuel carbon emissions

In 2025, despite a rise in electricity consumption, the world’s largest CO₂ emitter – China – managed to cut emissions linked to coal and other fossil fuels. Official data show a reduction of 0.3 % in the energy and industrial sectors, while overall electricity use grew by 3.5 %. This was made possible by rapid growth in renewable energy.

1. Growth of “green” generation
- Solar power became the main driver of capacity growth: it supplied almost all of the added capacity and slowed the need for coal.
- The share of renewables in total electricity production reached 40 % (up from 37 % last year).
- Added wind, solar, and hydro capacity fully met demand growth and even led to a slight decline in coal plant output.

2. Transitioning coal plants to buffer mode
Experts note that coal power plants are increasingly used as backup:

- they are only turned on during peak demand or when wind/solar generation falls.
- Thus coal is no longer the backbone of China’s energy system.

3. Emission reductions in other sectors
Sector Reason for decline
Construction Reduced activity → less cement and CO₂ emissions
Transport Mass electrification (rise in EV sales) → lower transport emissions

Carbon Brief analysis shows that China’s CO₂ levels have been stable or falling for 21 consecutive months, suggesting the global emission peak may have arrived earlier than expected (before 2030).

4. What this means for climate
Climatologists call this trend a “promising signal.”

- Large-scale deployment of renewable energy is starting to deliver measurable results.
- One year of decline won’t solve the global problem, but it shows that with current Chinese policies sustainable long‑term environmental efficiency is possible.

Thus, 2025 became a pivotal moment: China demonstrates how shifting to “green” energy can reduce carbon footprints even amid growing demand.