China’s Predominance in Global Emissions: A Call for Accountability
China’s coal and cement production is responsible for almost half of global emissions, with eight major Chinese firms contributing 17.3%. The analysis from InfluenceMap highlights the historical data linking emissions to these companies. It also identifies other state-owned and investor-owned firms contributing to global fossil emissions and emphasizes the importance of accountability in climate-related issues.
Recent analysis indicates that China is a significant contributor to global emissions, with its coal and cement production accounting for nearly half worldwide. Eight major Chinese firms, such as CHN Energy and Jinneng Group, contribute 17.3% of global emissions and collectively represent 40.8% of the total. This data emerges from the Carbon Majors database operated by InfluenceMap, revealing China’s central role in global coal consumption and production, processing approximately 4.36 billion tonnes in 2023.
Historically, China’s coal emissions were reported at a national aggregate level due to inadequate local production data prior to 2005. However, the recent findings attribute emissions to specific companies, all state-owned, highlighting that coal has persistently driven emissions in the country. Emmet Connaire, a senior analyst at InfluenceMap, emphasized that the “significant driver of emissions in China” has been coal, throughout history and in recent years.
Cement emissions from Chinese producers remain reported at the national level due to similar data availability issues and ownership complexity. Furthermore, the report notes that state-owned coal, oil, and gas companies from other countries also contribute significantly to global fossil emissions, including Saudi Aramco and Coal India, which collectively represent 17.4% of emissions.
In 2023, five investor-owned firms, namely ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and BP, were responsible for 4.9% of potential fossil emissions. Historical data from 1854 to 2023 indicates that two-thirds of carbon emissions originated from only 180 companies, particularly based in Russia and China, alongside major investor-owned firms.
The updated data bolsters the justification for holding fossil fuel companies accountable for their contributions to climate change. Previous reports have been instrumental in legal actions against these corporations, notably in the case addressing corporate responsibility for climate-related human rights violations put forth by the Philippines’ Commission on Human Rights.
To summarize, the analysis sheds light on the substantial emissions attributed to China, particularly from its state-owned coal and cement firms, which together account for a significant portion of global emissions. It underscores the necessity for accountability among fossil fuel companies, an issue that remains critical in ongoing climate discussions and litigation.
Original Source: www.eco-business.com
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