China's carbon dioxide emissions fell 1% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, driven by increased renewable energy use, according to a study by the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. The power sector, China’s primary greenhouse gas source, saw a 3% emissions drop, per CREA’s lead analyst Lauri Myllyvirta for Carbon Brief.

A general view of the solar panels pictured during an organised media tour at the Dunhuang Photovoltaic Industrial Park, in Gansu province, China October 16, 2024.

Myllyvirta stated: “The drop [is attributed] to more renewable electricity from China's rapidly growing fleet of solar power plants, which is expected to see another year of record capacity additions in 2025, putting emissions on track for a full-year decline in 2025.” China aims to peak emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2060.

Coal use in power generation decreased 3% from January to June, while gas use rose 6%. Emissions also fell in building materials, metals, cement, and steel due to a weaker property sector. However, emissions from the chemicals industry increased, with coal use for synthetic fuels and petrochemicals up 20%, adding 3% to emissions since 2020.