China's Coal Power Surge Defies Emissions Pledge.

China has approved a surge in coal power, prioritizing energy supply over its pledge to reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Local governments in energy-hungry Chinese provinces approved at least 20.45 GW of coal-fired power in the first three months of 2023, more than double the 8.63 GW approved for the same period last year. The rise in approvals for coal power projects shows how the need for short-term economic growth is diverting investment away from renewable energy projects. Greenpeace warns that investing in more fossil-fuel plants will create a vicious cycle, accelerating climate change and resulting in more frequent extreme weather such as heat waves.