| Abstract |
China is the world’s biggest producer and consumer of coal. The country’s rocketing economic growth is heavily dependent on it, with more than 70 per cent of its energy needs coming from coal (the global average is around 30 per cent). However, this reliance on coal comes with heavy environmental and social costs. Every step in the process of using coal, from mining through to combustion, is wreaking severe damage to China’s environment. Of most concern is climate change, primarily caused by burning fossil fuels such as coal. This is the second edition of this report. |
