China will no longer build new coal-fired power stations abroad. This was announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his speech to the annual General Assembly of the United Nations.
Xi gave no further details, but it could mean that financing for coal-fired power plants in developing countries will be limited. China is under intense diplomatic pressure to stop financing coal abroad. China’s decision will make it easier for the world to meet the carbon emissions targets of the Paris climate agreement.
“China will increase its support to other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy, and will not build new coal-fired energy projects abroad,” Xi said in his pre-recorded video speech. In the speech, he also emphasized that China has peaceful intentions in the field of international relations.
US ‘absolutely delighted’
South Korea and Japan have already made similar commitments. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and US climate envoy John Kerry urged China to follow the lead of those two Asian countries.
“Accelerating the global coal phase-out is the single most important step to keep the 1.5-degree target of the Paris Agreement within reach,” Guterres said in a statement.
Kerry said he was delighted with the Chinese president’s announcement. Guterres stressed that there is still “a long way” to make the upcoming climate meeting in Glasgow a success.
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