China Is Single-handedly Forestalling Climate Change

China is single-handedly forestalling climate change, according to Noah Smith’s thread:

The data tells a remarkable story. China’s fossil fuel demand appears to have plateaued:

Meanwhile, China has become the world’s solar energy factory, with exports that are reshaping global clean energy markets:

This represents a fundamental shift in the climate narrative. While Western discourse often focuses on China as a major polluter, the reality is more nuanced. China is simultaneously:

1. Plateauing domestic fossil fuel consumption - Breaking the link between economic growth and emissions
2. Flooding global markets with cheap solar panels - Making clean energy economically competitive worldwide
3. Manufacturing the infrastructure needed for a global energy transition

The implications are profound. China isn’t just cleaning up its own act—it’s providing the tools for the rest of the world to decarbonize at scale and speed.

For more detailed analysis, see the full China Energy Transition Review 2025 from Ember Energy.