Chimneys of a coal-fired power plant are seen behind a gate in Shanghai, China October 21, 2021. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
SINGAPORE, Nov 21 (Reuters) – China is on track to meet a goal to bring its climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions to a peak before 2030, according to a poll of 89 experts from industry and academia published on Tuesday, though questions remain over how high the top will be.
More than 70% of respondents said China, the world’s biggest carbon dioxide emitter, will be able to meet the target, with two saying its emissions had already peaked, in a poll compiled by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a Helsinki-based think tank.
Still, “experts remain concerned about how high the peak emissions would reach compared to previous levels,” CREA said, with a majority of respondents expecting the total to be at least 15% higher than the 2020 level.
Doubts have been cast on China’s ability to meet its 2030 pledge, as authorities continue to approve dozens of new coal-fired power stations to meet rising energy demand and avoid a repeat of the disruptive power outages that hit the country in 2021.
But CREA said respondents,…
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