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China Funded Many Coal Plants Around the World. Retiring Them Early Could Be a Bargain

by Cobus van Staden
Chinese funding for overseas coal capacity by country. The red bars indicate case study countries analyzed in the report. Image: Boston University Global Development Policy Center

China has funded about 39 GW of coal electricity around the world, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. If these plants continue operating until the end of their lifespans, they will breach 2040 carbon targets set by the International Energy Agency.

These plants also risk becoming stranded assets in the face of more stringent emissions regulations. This means that finding pathways to retiring them early is key, argues a new research report from the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.

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