China and India reduce power emissions as renewable energy expands

Emissions in the power sector in China and India decreased for the first time in over five decades in 2025 as the rapid growth of clean energy kept pace with the growing demand for electricity, according to a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

China and India are the world’s biggest coal consumers and together accounted for 93% of the rise in global carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation over the last decade until 2024.

However, the report showed that record growth in renewable energy capacity helped to slow emissions from electricity generation in 2025.

Emissions in the power sector in China decreased by 40 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, or 0.7%, in 2025. Emissions from Indian power companies decreased by 38 million tonnes, or 4.1%, in the 11 months to November, based on estimates compiled by energy think tank Ember from monthly government data.

These decreases offset a 55.7 million tonne rise in U.S. power sector emissions, where a 13.1% increase in coal-based electricity production boosted emissions by 3.3% in 2025, the fastest annual rise this century. Consequently, global power sector emissions stagnated.