Cause for slight optimism
China's world-leading
coal consumption fell for the third straight year in 2016, government
data showed Tuesday, as the planet's biggest carbon emitter struggles to
break its addiction to the heavily polluting fuel.
Coal consumption
fell by 4.7 percent year-on-year in 2016, and the share of coal in the
country's energy mix slipped to 62.0 percent, down 2.0 percent
year-on-year, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a report.
Overall coal production also fell, dropping 9.0 percent to 3.41 billion tonnes in 2016.
The data suggests that "coal consumption probably peaked around
2014," according to a statement from environmental group China Dialogue.
It added that "there is still some concern about a 'rebound' in coal
demand if China continues to stimulate its economy by infrastructure
investment".
The
link.
So much for all those who claimed that the market is the best solution. This initiative is being driven by the Chinese government. And yes, they have a certain way of "driving" things. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd while I'm here I suggest we demand that all denialists be denied air-conditioning and be forced to shovel the coal themselves. They do know how to shovel stuff.
ReplyDelete