China, the world’s second-largest economy, faces a critical contradiction in its climate strategy. On one hand, it has become the undisputed global leader in green technology manufacturing and is driving the global transition to electric mobility. On the other hand, it remains heavily dependent on coal at unprecedented levels — casting serious doubt on the real impact of its environmental efforts. This dual reality, where green innovation collides with legacy fossil dependence, presents one of the most complex strategic dilemmas for global policymakers.

The Green Door: China as the Global Enabler

China manufactures more than 60% of all electric vehicles in the world. This vast production capacity has created massive economies of scale that dramatically reduced EV prices, making them accessible not only to wealthy Western consumers but also to emerging markets such as India, South America, and even parts of Africa. Analysts widely agree: without China’s industrial scale, the EV revolution would have remained a luxury phenomenon. China is also the largest global driver of renewable energy — responsible for more than half of all new solar and wind installations worldwide.

The Burning Problem: Extreme Coal Dependence

The darker side of this narrative is equally powerful. China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined — primarily to fuel its electricity grid and heavy industry. This coal-driven energy model allows it to sustain aggressive investments in AI, semiconductors, and smart transportation while maintaining global price competitiveness. In the past 24 months alone, China has reportedly activated over 100 new coal-fired power plants. Global coal consumption remains on an upward trend — almost entirely due to surging demand in the Asia-Pacific region, led overwhelmingly by China. For every ton of CO₂ emissions avoided by EV adoption, approximately 16 tons are emitted through coal combustion.

Conclusion: Between Clean Exports and Dirty Domestic Reality

China embodies the central paradox of the global energy transition. It is simultaneously the world’s most important enabler of affordable green technologies — and its largest source of carbon emissions. Western responses are deeply conflicted, ranging from strategic collaboration to anti-dumping investigations and tariff barriers. The real question is not whether China will continue to lead the green manufacturing race — but whether it can also pivot away from coal fast enough to prevent a historic climate failure.