Barbara Finamore

Author, "Will China Save the Planet?" Founder, China Program, NRDC. Senior Visiting Research Fellow, Oxford Institute of Energy Studies

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

My take: in addition to strong domestic action and competition in developing clean technologies, cooperation between the U.S. and China on the most challenging aspects of decarbonization is necessary to accelerate climate action during this crucial decade. https://t.co/dM9oM5TL2R

[Lauri Myllyvirta @laurimyllyvirta]

A major shift: China's approvals of new coal power plant projects plummeted by 80% in the first half of 2024. 9 GW of new capacity was approved, down from 52 GW in the first half of last year.

The sharp course correction in coal power permitting happened at the same time as China stopped permitting new coal-based steel plants, in itself an extremely significant move.
https://t.co/VQ8b3WnXNU

It's been clear to me for some time that there would have to be a course correction, as the amount of new coal power projects permitted in 2022-23 was clearly excessive.

What's remarkable is that there's been no policy announcement and no reporting in Chinese media on the sharp pullback. There must have been a policy change, as power firms continued to announce new projects and initiate construction on already permitted ones - only the government-controlled step in the project pipeline, permitting, slowed down and did so across the country, so Beijing must have told the provinces to lay off the rubber stamp.

While permitting slowed down significantly, there is still a huge amount of capacity under construction and due to come online as a result of the wave of permitting in 2022-23. More than 40 GW of new projects started construction in the first half. Further measures will be needed to manage the resulting overcapacity.

The party and the government have also issued several new high-level policy documents on reducing emissions.
https://t.co/g4pfqohcXt

All of this strengthens the view that climate and emission reductions are high on the agenda again after being sidelined during and immediately after the zero-Covid period.

[David Fishman @pretentiouswhat]

All this happened in the last 3 months for Chinese decarbonization policy.

Can't think of the last time I saw so many major documents released in such a short period time...feels like 2024 is turning out to be a major year for China's energy policy.

Quick summary thread: 🧵

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

https://t.co/ZtzNRAdzN3

[Amy Schneider @Jeopardamy]

It's #NationalVinylRecordDay! To celebrate, tell me your favorite album to listen to on vinyl ⬇️

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

@greenlawchina @LPEblog @LPE_Project Nice job Alex!

[The National Bureau of Asian Research @NBRnews]

Extreme drought in China has sparked a #hydropower shortage that forces #China to explore #alternativeenergy sources. Revisit our commentary by @bfinamore on China and #climatechange: https://t.co/sj2Scnj8r0 #Yangtze

[The National Bureau of Asian Research @NBRnews]

On this Earth Day, halfway between UN #COP26 & the upcoming #COP27, NBR revisits expert perspectives on China, India, Japan, and the Pacific Islands [from @bfinamore @subrataNE @ArimuraToshi @AlisiRabukawaqa] on the world’s efforts to combat #climatechange https://t.co/PlPd1yyj1s

[The National Bureau of Asian Research @NBRnews]

NEW! Roundtable with @ArimuraToshi, @subrataNE, @bfinamore, and @AlisiRabukawaqa on how China, Japan, India, and the Pacific Islands will work to achieve their #COP26 goals and foster cooperation with other countries to limit carbon emissions.
https://t.co/qZwAEFGXsR

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

My latest:
#China and Climate Change: COP26 and Beyond - The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) https://t.co/sWCgjZRfr3

[OIES @OxfordEnergy]

“#Batteries will play an increasingly important role in allowing high levels of penetration of variable renewable energy like #wind and #solar on the grid” @bfinamore quoted in @OilandEnergy
https://t.co/wahmcYvkg6

[OIES @OxfordEnergy]

@bfinamore quoted in @FinancialTimes today “Most experts are projecting that Europe can have about a one-third global share of the battery manufacturing capability by 2030”👇 https://t.co/q8WcWlaSoo

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

Great article on the critical role of batteries in reaching net zero emissions, the explosive growth of battery manufacturing, and key global challenges

[OIES @OxfordEnergy]

@bfinamore quoted in @FinancialTimes today “Most experts are projecting that Europe can have about a one-third global share of the battery manufacturing capability by 2030”👇 https://t.co/q8WcWlaSoo

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

@andyfengan Hi Feng An! You can register at https://t.co/yWF4CTk0Jd

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

Come join this fabulous all-women panel on December 9th for a thoughtful 2021 US-China review and insights on what lies ahead!

[Asia Society Australia @AsiaSocietyAus]

ICYMI: Following #COP26, China Executive Briefing explored #climate cooperation between the #US, #China and the rest of the world, feat. Zhang Xiliang @Tsinghua_Uni, @BFinamore @OxfordEnergy, @hbamsey @ANURegNet and Dr Elizabeth Thurbon @UNSW.
Watch now: https://t.co/GeZwCT3dgd

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

Thanks for everything, Sustainable John. You were an indispensable part of NRDC’s small team in Beijing. Your light shone so brightly and is gone far too soon. But what a difference you made to the planet!

[Asia Society Australia @AsiaSocietyAus]

“If you looked at the language of the announcement, you’re not going to see any more surprises, such as phasing out #coal, for example.” - @BFinamore @OxfordEnergy on the recent #US-#China announcement on #climateaction.

Register to watch now: https://t.co/8vDrBFgHBI

[Asia Society Australia @AsiaSocietyAus]

“Both countries have been working hard to find common ground and recognise that it's in their self interest to collaborate on issues relating to #climate.” - @BFinamore @OxfordEnergy on recent #US-#China climate collaboration.

Register to watch now: https://t.co/8vDrBFgHBI

[Barbara Finamore @bfinamore]

Hope you’ll join me for what promises to be a fascinating discussion!
8 pm EST tonight (Nov 10th), which is 9 am China Time Nov 11th, as well as 12 pm Australian AEDT Nov 11th

[Asia Society @AsiaSociety]

Sign up for @AsiaSocietyAUS' executive briefing on cooperating with China on #climatechange, happening tomorrow!

Featuring speakers Zhang Xiliang @Tsinghua_Uni, @BFinamore @OxfordEnergy, @hbamsey @ANURegNet, and Dr. Elizabeth Thurbon @UNSW.

Register: https://t.co/IXLDJYljc1