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This issue brief analyzes China's clean power sector, detailing its massive growth in electricity capacity, its continued heavy reliance on coal, and the government's strategic shift toward renewable energy and emissions controls under the 12th Five Year Plan.

This report analyzes the structure, production, and sustainability of the Chinese copper supply chain as of 2010. It details China's position as the world's largest producer and consumer of refined copper, examines the environmental and social impacts of the industry, and outlines the regulatory framework governing smeltingS smelting, imports, and exports.

This 2010 WRI policy brief argues that while China has strong political will and some applicable laws to support Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), it lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework for geologic storage. Given China's heavy reliance on coal, the brief suggests that CCS is necessary to reduce emissions post-2030. It proposes eight key safety and environmental criteria for storage regulations and suggests a pilot regulatory approach to manage the transition from demonstration projects to commercial deployment.

This research paper examines the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and human well-being, using China as a primary case study. It analyzes how income per capita, energy production mixes, and geography correlate with CO2 emissions across 174 countries and 30 Chinese provinces, arguing that current high-consumption lifestyles in rich countries are incompatible with low-emission stabilization targets.

This research paper by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) examines the challenges facing China's wind and solar megabases, specifically the risks of transmission bottlenecks and the potential for renewable energy to supplement rather than replace coal-based industries.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzes China's utility-scale wind and solar expansion as of June 2026, focusing on the 'megabases' strategy in northwestern and northern regions. While China leads the world in prospective capacity, the report highlights critical bottlenecks in power transmission and the persistent role of coal in the energy system, which risks curtailing renewable output and entrenching fossil fuel use.

This report analyzes the fiscal implications of the clean energy transition for the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), focusing on the reliance of government budgets on fossil fuel revenues and the impact of existing subsidies.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) promotes a watershed-scale bioeconomy that utilizes naturally occurring plant materials and agricultural by-products to create sustainable industries. By bundling tangible products (like bioenergy and bioplastics) with ecosystem services (such as nutrient recovery and carbon credits), IISD aims to improve water quality and rural economies. Examples include using cattails in the Lake Winnipeg region of Canada and common reeds at Wuliangsuhai Lake in China to remove excess nutrients from the environment while generating commercial revenue.

This briefing paper provides a detailed status update as of April 10, 2024, on the climate policies, energy trends, and bilateral engagement between China and the United States. It outlines China's progress toward its 2030 and 2060 carbon goals, the U.S. implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the diplomatic efforts to maintain climate cooperation despite broader geopolitical tensions.