China Doubles Down on a Slower Coal Exit After COP26 Spat
- Cutting coal use an ‘incremental process’: foreign ministry
- Developing nations will need to balance energy security
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China extended its defense of coal’s future after diluting demands for action at the COP26 climate summit, insisting a transition away from the dirtiest fossil fuel must be gradual.
“In many developing countries, not everyone has access to electricity and energy supply is not adequate,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press briefing Monday in Beijing. “Before asking all countries to stop using coal, consideration should be given to the energy shortfall in these countries.”