Will China’s Covid recovery be green? – Climate Weekly

(Climate Home News, 22 May 2020) The way China rebuilds its economy after the coronavirus pandemic has huge ramifications for efforts to tackle climate change.

A government report ahead of the National People’s Congress starting Friday gave some clues as to what China’s recovery will look like.

Most strikingly, there is no GDP growth target this year, for the first time in decades. Citing the uncertainty caused by Covid-19, the premier said he would instead prioritise employment and alleviating poverty.

Climate watchers are cautiously optimistic that means China won’t try to boost the numbers through the traditional route of investment in dirty energy infrastructure and heavy industry.

On the other hand, there is no particular emphasis on a “green” recovery and five new coal plants were approved in March.

External link

Climate Home News, 22 May 2020: Will China’s Covid recovery be green? – Climate Weekly