China Posts Record Fossil Fuel Output as Security Trumps Climate

President Xi Jinping flagged in January last year that China’s ambitious climate goals shouldn’t clash with its economic objectives, which include securing adequate supplies of commodities. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — Fossil fuel production in China soared in 2022, with coal and gas hitting record highs, as environmental targets took a back seat to energy security after a tumultuous year for prices.

That swamped some good news for the climate from the steel sector, where China cut output for a second consecutive year to make good on its promise to rein in emissions from the worst-polluting industry after power generation.

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