China eyes greener future as investment in renewables booms

China could take the lead in low-carbon energy as it battles deadly smog to calm rising social unrest

Investment in clean-energy technologies that could solve China's chronic air pollution is booming. New wind and solar-power projects are being built faster than predicted, investment in smart-grid technologies is surging, nuclear plants are being switched on and natural gas use is on the rise. After many years in which action has consistently fallen short of hard talk, Beijing may finally be getting its act together as it starts addressing chronic air pollution. Rising discontent, particularly from middle-class urban residents, who are increasingly taking to Chinese social media and, in some instances, the streets, to voice their anger over the problem, has spurred the government to act. A s