China’s Clean Revolution: Executive Summary

A report from the Climate Group finds that China is the world’s leader in renewable energy generation, in terms of installed capacity, and second for renewable energy investment.

The findings run contrary to the perception of China doing little to combat greenhouse gas emissions. The country’s clear policy framework aims to reduce energy intensity 20 percent by 2010, and boost renewable energy to account for 15 percent of its portfolio by 2020. China’s journey to a low-carbon economy is underway, the report said.

“Far from ignoring climate change, Chinese leaders have already committed to improving energy efficiency and scaling up the growth of low carbon industries,” said Changhua Wu, the Climate Group’s China director. “China is beginning to pull its weight on climate change and the targets and policies in place are in line with those being taken by ‘leading’ countries like the U.K. and Germany.”

This executive summary was published ahead of the full report [PDF], which was published on Aug. 8, 2008.