The world might soon breathe a sigh of relief (along with clean air). China, the largest source of greenhouse gases for the past two decades, accounted for 30% of global emissions in 2022. However, emissions are expected to fall this year — marking the first decline since 2016 and indicating that emissions may have peaked. The anticipated 7.2% to 8.2% decline is mainly due to China’s reduced coal and oil consumption.

• Last year, China outpaced the entire history of solar panel installations in the US and now hosts nearly two-thirds of major global wind and solar construction projects.
• In May, coal’s contribution to China’s electricity fell to its lowest in decades at 53%. Li Show from China Climate Hub noted significant cooling in real estate and construction, which previously made up one-third of emissions.

Global phenomenon: Chatham House’s Bernice Lee believes, “Clean energy growth is larger than demand growth.” China’s $16T commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 could inspire other nations to hasten their sustainability efforts. Ember’s Dave Jones noted to the NYT, “When China’s emissions stop growing, it likely follows that the world’s stop growing, too.”