Climate

Analysis: China’s quarterly CO2 falls 3% in largest drop since Covid

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/11/2026, 09:35:24 UTC.

Briefings

China's CO2 emissions fell 3.1% in Q3 2026, marking the largest quarterly drop since the 2022 pandemic lockdowns. This decline was driven by a 3% drop in coal use and 4% drop in oil, alongside a 3.3% reduction in coal-power generation. Clean power generation increased by 110 TWh year-on-year, exceeding total electricity demand growth. The trend extends a flat or falling pattern established since March 2024.

Key points

• China's CO2 emissions fell 3.1% in the third quarter of 2026, the largest quarterly reduction since the 2022 pandemic lockdowns.
• Clean power generation increased by 110 terawatt hours year-on-year, exceeding total electricity demand growth by more than twice.

Context

This analysis by Lauri Myllyvirta at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air uses official and commercial data from Carbon Brief to track China's energy transition. The findings indicate a structural shift where clean power growth outpaces fossil fuel demand despite ongoing coal capacity expansion.

Limitations

Data sources are limited to official and commercial figures available at the time of publication. The analysis covers Q3 2026 only and does not include data from the first half of 2026. Forecasts regarding future trends depend on ongoing economic stimulus and energy demand growth assumptions.

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