Carbon dioxide emissions from global overseas coal-fired power plants

Peng Guo, Huizhong Shen, Yilin Chen, Hancheng Dai, Zelin Mai, Ruibin Xu, Ruixin Zhang, Zhanxiang Wang, Jinling He, Lianming Zheng, Haitong Zhe Sun, Kainan Ke, Jing Meng, Maodian Liu, Jin Li, Wulahati Adalibieke, Chen Wang, Jianhuai Ye, Lei Zhu, Guofeng ShenTzung May Fu, Albert Tsang, Xin Yang, Armistead G. Russell, Charles T. Driscoll, Shu Tao

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Foreign investments in overseas coal-fired power plants (OCPs) largely impede decarbonization efforts, yet their global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have not been sufficiently quantified. Here we analyse investment data from 908 OCPs worldwide, and then reveal current annual emissions of 0.53 GtCO2 yr−1 and a historical cumulative total of 26 GtCO2. Developed nations account for 78% of these cumulative emissions on the basis of investments, while emissions from developing nations have surged from 8% in 1960 to 39% in 2022. Assuming unchanged policies and technologies, OCPs are projected to contribute an additional 15–30 GtCO2 in cumulative emissions by 2060 directly. Furthermore, they could stimulate local coal power growth in emerging economies, potentially adding 6.3–45.0 GtCO2 emissions indirectly. Our study underscores the critical importance of low-carbon policy interventions in emerging countries to curb the power-sector carbon emissions increasingly influenced by international capital.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1151-1157
Number of pages7
JournalNature Climate Change
Volume14
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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