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China’s Official Energy Finance in Emerging and Developing Economies
…annually to energy-related projects in EMDE – equivalent to around 8% of all tracked clean energy investment directed to these economies. Historically, this financing was driven by state-owned policy banks and sovereign actors providing debt and, in some cases, grants. In recent years, however, the composition has shifted. While financing commitments are slowly rising again, following a drop during the COVID pandemic, policy-bank lending has significantly contracted and focused almost entirely on clean technologies. Meanwhile, state-owned enterprises, state-owned commercial banks and export credit agencies have taken on a larger role, increasingly through equity investments or guarantees…
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Land-Use Competition between Biodiversity and Net Zero Goals
…robust mechanisms that direct solar and wind projects away from the world’s most biodiverse areas are needed. To address the potential impacts of renewable development on biodiversity, the IEA developed the Renewable Energy and Land-Use Model (REALM), which identifies areas of overlap between renewable projects, critical mineral mining, and conservation priorities. Using Canada as a case study, this report highlights areas of potential land-use conflict and shows how the country can reach its 30% by 2030 target without significantly hindering the wind and solar development needed to achieve its net zero targets. Key points Achieving global energy…
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Energy Efficiency in China’s Buildings Sector
…progress in achieving them. Regulation for new buildings in China, such as building codes, is relatively strong. However, as the rate of construction is slowing, policy priorities are shifting towards retrofitting existing buildings. Here, the IEA estimates that through strong policy action and best-in-class technology, China could reduce energy consumption by up to 65% in buildings constructed between 1995 and 2010, representing energy savings of over 8 000 Petajoules.The report includes examples from across China and the world on leading regulatory instruments, financial incentives, and information-based tools that can drive energy efficiency in the buildings sector.
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Integrating Distributed Energy Resources in China
Lessons from international experience Like no other country in the world, the People’s Republic of China (hereafter, “China”) is witnessing rapid growth in distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar photovoltaics, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. As China advances towards its carbon peaking and neutrality goals, these resources offer a unique opportunity to support a more flexible, efficient and resilient power system, provided their integration is well-managed.This report analyses recent trends in DER deployment across China and highlights the emerging challenges their growth poses for power system planning and operation, calling for renewed attention to…
