Analysis: China's CO2 emissions have now been "flat or falling" for 21 months
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2026 7:53 am
China's CO2 emissions fell 1% in Q4 2025, securing a 0.3% decline for full year 2025. This extends a "flat or falling" trend that began in March 2024 and has now lasted 21 months.
Key findings:
• CO2 emissions fell in almost all major sectors in 2025: transport (-3%), power (-1.5%), building materials (-7%)
• Exception: chemicals industry emissions grew 12%
• Solar power output +43%, wind power +19%
• Coal-fired power generation fell 2%
• Oil demand growth slowed to 1%
China's carbon emissions have been flat or falling for 21 consecutive months, marking a significant shift toward carbon neutrality by 2060.
Source: Carbon Brief
Key findings:
• CO2 emissions fell in almost all major sectors in 2025: transport (-3%), power (-1.5%), building materials (-7%)
• Exception: chemicals industry emissions grew 12%
• Solar power output +43%, wind power +19%
• Coal-fired power generation fell 2%
• Oil demand growth slowed to 1%
China's carbon emissions have been flat or falling for 21 consecutive months, marking a significant shift toward carbon neutrality by 2060.
Source: Carbon Brief