The world’s worst emitter of climate gases is quietly changing

SOCIETY

They are the world’s two largest emitters of climate gases. But the United States and China are at the same time leading the way for the energy transition.
– Both countries are actually doing things in the green area, says emissions researcher Robbie Andrew.

In a huge factory in Dalton in the US state of Georgia, production is at full speed. Every day, all year round, South Korean Qcells produces 30,000 solar panels. It was recently announced that they are expanding the factory, whose annual production of panels can generate 5.1 gigawatts.

Strong growth

In recent years, renewable energy production in the United States has skyrocketed. In 2021 nuclear power was passed, the following year coal.

Above all, solar power has seen strong growth. The EIA estimates it will grow by 75 percent – ​​from 163 billion kilowatt hours to 286 – between 2023 and 2025. Wind power is expected to grow by a more moderate 11 percent over the period to 476 billion kilowatt hours.

– Often in the US it is not about climate policy, but rather about the market deciding that it is best, says Robbie Andrew at the Norwegian climate research institute Cicero.

The fact that the USA gets a climate-skeptic and fossil fuel-loving president next year will slow down development.

– Emissions in the US will decrease regardless of politics. But politics could have driven them down much faster, says Andrew.

Big bets on electricity

On the other side of the planet, China accounts for around 30 percent of the world’s emissions. In the mid-2000s, the country overtook the United States as the world’s most emitting country, and emissions have increased since then. But there are many indications that emissions have reached a plateau. Here, too, the energy transition comes into play.

Last year, China installed as much solar energy as the rest of the world. 339 gigawatts of solar and wind farms are under construction, according to Science.

– China has made a decision on key areas to focus on to gain competitive and security policy advantages. It is a combination of keeping the economy going and reducing dependence on other countries. All that points to the development in the energy sector with electric vehicles, batteries and solar power, says Andrew.

Only electric buses in the big city

In 2017, the multi-million city Shenzhen, Hong Kong’s mainland neighbor, became the first in the world to have a fully electric bus fleet. The following year, all taxis were powered by electricity. There are more than 16,000 buses and 22,000 taxis in the city. In addition to the climate benefit, the vehicles are quieter and air pollution has been reduced.

The same development is seen in other cities in China, according to Andrew.

– Local boards have had a strong will to take the lead in these new industries. So the transition for buses, taxis and various electric mopeds and the like has been quite dramatic.