Fossil fuels’ share of China’s energy mix will decline, but consumption will continue to grow
Letter from China: Five-Year Plan puts energy over decarbonisation
China’s reluctance to ease back on fossil fuels highlights the contrasting narratives of energy security and decarbonisation
Carbon neutrality has been the buzzword in China in recent months, but a close reading of the country’s recently approved 14th Five-Year Plan (FYP) makes clear that Beijing is prioritising energy over emissions in near-term policymaking—a continuation that will be welcomed by China’s NOCs. An outline of the plan presented at China’s annual session of parliament in March showed little sign of an acceleration in the country’s fight against climate change. While the plan—a roadmap for China’s development in 2021-2025—did reaffirm the shift to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy, it also lacked ambition. A detailed path on how China will make good on its promise to peak carbon emissio
Also in this section
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
22 April 2026
Sustained strikes on ports, terminals and refineries are testing the resilience of Russia’s oil export system, yet rapid repairs, rerouting and surging prices mean the campaign has yet to deliver a decisive blow
21 April 2026
After overcoming a COVID-induced demand collapse with several years of successful market management, geopolitical events have conspired to provide the pact’s biggest test to date
21 April 2026
The regime’s policy of using nuclear ambiguity as a deterrent may have failed but it has realised it has other cards to play, while its neighbours are reappraising their approach to security
