In January 2025, global temperatures soared to unprecedented levels, with the Copernicus Climate Change Service reporting an average surface air temperature 1.75°C above pre-industrial levels. This alarming milestone underscores the urgency of limiting warming to the 1.5°C threshold established by the Paris Agreement to avert catastrophic climate impacts.

Contradicting global efforts to mitigate climate change, China has significantly increased its coal-fired power capacity. In 2024, the nation initiated construction of coal power plants totaling 94.5 gigawatts (GW), the highest addition since 2015. This surge raises concerns about China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030, as the expansion of coal infrastructure may lock in high emissions for decades.

The juxtaposition of China’s coal expansion with the recent record-breaking global temperatures highlights a critical disconnect between current policies and the urgent need for climate action. Surpassing the 1.5°C threshold increases the risk of triggering irreversible climate tipping points, such as the collapse of major ice sheets and loss of biodiversity, leading to severe consequences for ecosystems and human societies worldwide.

To align with the 1.5°C target, global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 and decline by 43% by 2030. China’s continued reliance on coal power not only jeopardizes its own climate commitments but also poses a significant challenge to global efforts aimed at preventing the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

#ClimateEmergency #1Point5Degrees #GlobalWarming #ChinaEnergy #CoalExpansion