China’s Coal Pipeline Risks Creating Glut, Blowing Climate Goals

Globally, 105 million tons of coal production capacity was added in 2024, down 46% from a year earlier and the lowest in at least a decade.

Photographer: Na Bian/Bloomberg

China’s proposed coal mine developments risk creating an oversupply and derailing climate goals, according to Global Energy Monitor.

More than 450 sites are in development across China, with nearly 40% under construction or in test operation, according to the California-based researcher, which promotes clean energy use. If they are all built, their combined capacity of 1.35 billion tons a year would surpass that operating in Indonesia and Australia, the biggest exporters of the fuel for power generation and steelmaking.