G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding

China provides the largest amount of fossil fuel support among G20 countries, averaging USD 134.2 billion annually from 2017 to 2019. While ranked highly for transparency and commitments, China has seen a 35% increase in overall fossil fuel support relative to 2014–2016 averages, driven largely by state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments in oil and gas production.

• China is the largest provider of fossil fuel support among all G20 countries, with an annual average of USD 134.2 billion between 2017 and 2019. This total includes USD 75.4 billion in SOE investment, USD 43.1 billion in induced transfers, USD 13.4 billion in public finance, USD 1.5 billion in direct transfers, and USD 775 million in tax expenditure.
• Overall government support for fossil fuels in China increased by 35% compared to the 2014–2016 average. This growth was primarily driven by a 91% increase in SOE investment in oil and gas production—specifically from the China National Petroleum Corporation, Sinopec Group, and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, whose combined capital expenditure exceeded USD 75 billion in 2019—as well as a 33% rise in price support for fossil fuel consumption and power.
• China's support is distributed across different fossil fuel sectors: USD 72.9 billion for oil and gas exploration, production, refining, and transportation; USD 38.9 billion for fossil fuel-based power; USD 18.4 billion for fossil fuel use; and USD 4 billion for coal exploration, production, processing, and transportation.
• Despite its high level of support, China is ranked first among non-OECD G20 members for transparency and pledges, having pledged to reach carbon neutrality by 2060. It also conducted a joint peer review of its fossil fuel subsidies with the United States in 2016.

APA

Roth, J. (2020). G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-china.pdf

Chicago

Roth, Joachim. G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-china.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Roth |first1=Joachim |title=G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-china.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{roth2020g20, author = {Roth, Joachim}, title = {{G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-china.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }