Fact Check: "China's emissions have fallen while power demand has rapidly grown."
What We Know
Recent analyses indicate that China's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have indeed decreased for the first time while the demand for power has increased. According to a report by the BBC, in the 12 months leading up to May 2025, China's emissions declined by approximately 1.6% year-on-year, despite a 2.5% growth in overall power demand (BBC). This marks a significant milestone as previous reductions in emissions were typically linked to economic downturns, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic (Carbon Brief).
The shift towards cleaner energy sources has been a key factor in this change. China has invested heavily in renewable energy, with wind and solar power contributing significantly to its electricity generation. In April 2025, for the first time, wind and solar energy together accounted for over a quarter of China's electricity (BBC). This is a notable achievement given China's historical reliance on coal, which still plays a significant role in its energy mix (Carbon Brief).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that China's emissions have fallen while power demand has grown is robust. The data from multiple sources corroborate this trend. For instance, the Carbon Brief analysis highlights that emissions from the power sector fell by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2025, while overall power demand increased (Carbon Brief). This indicates that the growth in renewable energy generation outpaced the rise in energy demand, a significant departure from past trends where emissions typically fell only during economic contractions.
Moreover, the reports from CleanTechnica and Upstream Online reinforce these findings, noting that the decrease in emissions was driven primarily by a surge in clean energy generation, which has now surpassed fossil fuel contributions in certain contexts (CleanTechnica, Upstream Online). This shift is further supported by the World Economic Forum's report, which ranks China as a leader in clean energy technologies, highlighting its rapid advancements in renewable energy capacity (World Economic Forum).
However, it is essential to consider the potential biases in some of the sources. For example, while the BBC and Carbon Brief provide well-researched analyses, other sources may have varying degrees of reliability based on their affiliations or perspectives on climate policy. Nonetheless, the consensus among credible analysts suggests that the decrease in emissions is a significant development in China's energy transition.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "China's emissions have fallen while power demand has rapidly grown" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The data indicates a historic reduction in emissions driven by an increase in renewable energy generation, despite rising power demand. This marks a pivotal moment in China's energy policy and its role in global emissions reduction efforts.
Sources
- China's emissions may be falling - here's what you should ...
- Analysis: Clean energy just put China's CO2 emissions into ...
- Clean Energy Just Put China’s CO2 Emissions into Reverse for ...
- Global energy transition: Tracking China's falling emissions
- Analysis: Clean energy just put China's CO2 emissions into ...
- China’s CO2 emissions fall as clean energy surges past power ...
- China first-quarter emissions fell despite rising power ...
- China
