This rise in coal burning aligns with efforts to boost economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, including the slate of new coal-fired power plants that recently came online as well as the expansion of the nickel industry.
China, already the world's largest polluter, approved the equivalent of two new coal plants a week last year, contrary to its pledges to reduce its emissions.
Although India has pledged to be a leader in renewable energy, recent weeks have shown the country is still heavily reliant on coal to meet soaring power demand.
Some observers hoped the announcement might inject needed energy into lackluster negotiations at this week’s Glasgow climate summit, although the terms weren’t particularly aggressive.
China and India will play outsize roles in efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions as President Biden seeks to spur more ambitious targets on climate change.
