China is making a mockery of climate targets as it announced plans to build more coal-fired power plants and increase oil and gas exploration, just weeks ahead of the COP26 summit.
Beijing's National Energy Commission said it is important 'to build advanced coal-fired power plants' and intensify domestic and gas exploration after the country was hit by blackouts last week and that China would rethink emissions targets.
The move will cause alarm ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow in two weeks, and is a major blow to the UK's plans for securing a global agreement on phasing out coal.
China has also ordered its coal mines to raise their annual output capacity to 55.3 million tonnes. Meanwhile, India has also ramped up its coal production following supply shortages which caused some utility providers to resort to unscheduled power cuts.
Beijing had previously committed to hitting peak emissions in 2030 and being carbon neutral by 2060 - a target which would involve the closure of more than 600 coal plants.
But the statement by the National Energy Commission hinted Beijing will build more coal-fired plants as China seeks to enhance the 'capacity for energy self-supply' and create a 'modern energy system'.
China plans to build new coal-fired plants after the country was hit by blackouts last week in a move set to cause alarm ahead of the COP26 summit at the end of the month (file photo)
China has faced widespread power outages that have shut factories and hit production and global supply chains amid the global energy crisis.
Chinese premier Li Keqiang said: 'Energy security should be the premise on which a modern energy system is built and and the capacity for energy self-supply should be enhanced,' the Guardian reported.
'Given the predominant place of coal in the country's energy and resource endowment, it is important to optimise the layout for the coal production capacity, build advanced coal-fired power plants as appropriate in line with development needs, and continue to phase out outdated coal plants in an orderly fashion.
'Domestic oil and gas exploration will be intensified.'
Chinese premier Li Keqiang said officials want to gather new evidence to rethink a roadmap for reaching peak emissions, with the deadline likely to be extended beyond 2030
Keqiang added officials want to gather new evidence to rethink a roadmap for reaching peak emissions, with the deadline likely to be extended beyond 2030.
The premier said he had ordered 'in-depth studies and calculations in light of the recent handling of
