China reduces energy shortage by increasing coal production | environment
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China said it has increased its daily coal production by more than one million tons, easing an energy shortage, as global officials discussed in Glasgow how to tackle the crisis caused by global warming.
China, the world’s largest importer of coal, has faced blackouts in recent months that have affected the global supply chain due to stringent Chinese emissions targets and rising fossil fuel prices. China’s main planning authority said the situation was eased by an increase in domestic coal production.
The National Development and Reform Commission said daily coal production has risen to an average of more than 11.5 million tons since mid-October, up 1.1 million tons from the end of September. The increase coincided with the COP26 summit in Glasgow, which Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend, and at which global officials discuss reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Several Chinese factories have halted operations in recent months due to power outages. The shortage has been exacerbated by China’s zero-tolerance policy for Covid-19, which has nearly closed the country’s borders and made it difficult to ship raw materials from abroad.
About 60% of China’s electricity is generated from coal. Beijing submitted a new climate plan to the United Nations before COP26, in which it reiterated its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
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