大象传媒

Is the writing on the wall for coal power? That is one conclusion that has been drawn from China's big announcement at the United Nations - that it will stop building coal plants overseas. Addressing the UN General Assembly, President Xi Jinping made the promise as he vowed to accelerate efforts to help the world battle the climate crisis. The decision has been applauded by activists and politicians.

Dr. Cecilia Han Springer, a senior researcher focusing on China at Boston University's Global Development Policy Center says this is a major turning point. But details are scant.

"We really have to focus on what build 'means' and what 'new' means. They provide finance - public and private - and equipment, as well as construction services and even operate some of those coal-fired power plants. So when they say 'build' do they mean the money or construction? All of that could have huge implications for how many plants are not going to be supported going forward.

"And China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal. Over two-thirds of their electricity comes from coal. So it's also going to depend on what they're doing at home."

(Pic: Coal plant and factory in Inner Mongolia, China; Credit: Reuters)

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