Carbon dioxide emissions from global overseas coal-fired power plants

Peng Guo, Huizhong Shen (), Yilin Chen, Hancheng Dai, Zelin Mai, Ruibin Xu, Ruixin Zhang, Zhanxiang Wang, Jinling He, Lianming Zheng, Haitong Zhe Sun, Kainan Ke, Jing Meng, Maodian Liu, Jin Li, Wulahati Adalibieke, Chen Wang, Jianhuai Ye, Lei Zhu, Guofeng Shen, Tzung-May Fu, Albert Tsang, Xin Yang, Armistead G. Russell, Charles T. Driscoll and Shu Tao
Additional contact information
Peng Guo: Southern University of Science and Technology
Huizhong Shen: Southern University of Science and Technology
Yilin Chen: Southern University of Science and Technology
Hancheng Dai: Peking University
Zelin Mai: Southern University of Science and Technology
Ruibin Xu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Ruixin Zhang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Zhanxiang Wang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Jinling He: Southern University of Science and Technology
Lianming Zheng: Southern University of Science and Technology
Haitong Zhe Sun: National University of Singapore
Kainan Ke: Southern University of Science and Technology
Jing Meng: University College London
Maodian Liu: Peking University
Jin Li: Peking University
Wulahati Adalibieke: Peking University
Chen Wang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Jianhuai Ye: Southern University of Science and Technology
Lei Zhu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Guofeng Shen: Peking University
Tzung-May Fu: Southern University of Science and Technology
Albert Tsang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Xin Yang: Southern University of Science and Technology
Armistead G. Russell: Georgia Institute of Technology
Charles T. Driscoll: Syracuse University
Shu Tao: Southern University of Science and Technology

Nature Climate Change, 2024, vol. 14, issue 11, 1151-1157

Abstract: Abstract Foreign investments in overseas coal-fired power plants (OCPs) largely impede decarbonization efforts, yet their global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have not been sufficiently quantified. Here we analyse investment data from 908 OCPs worldwide, and then reveal current annual emissions of 0.53 GtCO2 yr−1 and a historical cumulative total of 26 GtCO2. Developed nations account for 78% of these cumulative emissions on the basis of investments, while emissions from developing nations have surged from 8% in 1960 to 39% in 2022. Assuming unchanged policies and technologies, OCPs are projected to contribute an additional 15–30 GtCO2 in cumulative emissions by 2060 directly. Furthermore, they could stimulate local coal power growth in emerging economies, potentially adding 6.3–45.0 GtCO2 emissions indirectly. Our study underscores the critical importance of low-carbon policy interventions in emerging countries to curb the power-sector carbon emissions increasingly influenced by international capital.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02114-y

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