china
Credit: rbouwman/BigStock Photo ID:1642028
‘It smells like a rancid fish and chip shop’: at sea with the Antarctic’s krill supertrawlers
The fishery is regulated but experts say it is wrecking the food chain. Gordon Peake joined a Sea Shepherd mission to observe the giant ships compete for catch.
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Credit: Anton_Medvedev/BigStock Photo ID: 431444246
China has been preparing for a global energy crisis for years. It is paying off now
As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solar.
Credit: Edgar Bullon/BigStock Photo ID: 343343230
Mining’s toxic timebomb: dams full of poisonous waste are dotted around the world. What happens when they burst?
While tailings dams are meant to last for ever, extreme weather events are making many unstable – with devastating consequences for nature and humans
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Credit: Anton_Medvedev /BigStock Photo ID: 431444246
Green energy sector drove more than 90% of China’s investment growth last year, analysis finds
Industry bigger than all but seven world economies, and accounts for more than third of China’s economic growth.
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China’s role complicates US solar energy boom
The Biden administration’s push for renewable energy is complicated by a trade battle with China, which supplies cheap solar panels and threatens US manufacturers.
In short:
- China’s overproduction of solar panels, fueled by subsidies, has slashed prices but threatens the U.S. solar industry.
- U.S. manufacturers argue that Chinese dominance could stifle domestic production and lead to eventual price hikes.
- Lobbying efforts by industry groups argue that limiting Chinese imports could hurt solar industry growth and climate goals.
Key quote:
“Consumers need to understand that when they buy solar panels from China, these are being made using coal-fired power plants.”
— Tim Brightbill, U.S. solar panel trade lawyer
Why this matters:
China produces 80% of the world’s solar panels, raising concerns over U.S. energy independence and environmental impacts. The ongoing trade war may shape the future of both the US solar industry and global clean energy goals.
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US-China trade tensions hit Southeast Asia’s solar industry, impact EU
US tariffs on Southeast Asian solar panel exports may disrupt Chinese-owned solar companies in the region, complicating the EU’s solar expansion efforts.
In short:
- Southeast Asian solar producers face rising US tariffs, which could reduce solar panel exports to the US.
- Chinese solar firms in the region have scaled back operations, affecting the EU’s solar manufacturing ambitions.
- Some manufacturers are shifting production to other Southeast Asian nations not currently facing tariffs, like Indonesia and Laos.
Key quote:
"Southeast Asian solar panels could flood the EU market as they are squeezed out of the US."
— Indra Overland, head of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs' Center for Energy Research
Why this matters:
US tariffs could undermine the EU's solar industry by increasing competition from Southeast Asia. These shifts may also reshape global solar supply chains, influencing renewable energy access worldwide.
Related: American solar firms request federal action against Asian competitors
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Biden's top climate advisor visits China to push for stronger emission cuts
John Podesta is visiting China this week to urge the country to adopt more aggressive climate goals ahead of critical upcoming global climate negotiations.
In short:
- John Podesta will meet Chinese officials to press for greater emissions reductions.
- His visit comes before the November G20 summit, seen as a last chance to engage China on climate before U.S. elections.
- China's new climate targets are pivotal to maintaining the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Key quote:
“The Biden-Harris administration should not give away the farm simply to get Chairman Xi to comply with agreements they have already signed.”
— Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
Why this matters:
China's emissions drive global climate trends. Without stronger commitments from China, the world risks failing to keep global warming within safe limits.
Related:
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