It’s Offical: China Takes Lead in Global Clean Tech Race

It’s becoming increasingly clear that the American public has been had.

The Bush-Cheney administration has used China as its #1 excuse for not joining Kyoto and for all subsequent inaction on fighting global climate change. The world's top carbon polluter is not building a clean energy economy -- the US argument goes -- so why should we?

Now we can see how factually wrong that was, and how derelict. The Climate Group has released new data on China’s "Clean Revolution," and here's what the authors predict:

"In the move to a low carbon economy, we believe that China will no longer be a developing country following where others have led, but a pioneer leading the way."

Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group
Changhua Wu, Greater China Director, The Climate Group

The evidence, from the report:

-- China is already the leading renewable energy producer in the world in terms of installed generating capacity, with the largest hydro-electric fleet and fifth largest wind power fleet in the world. It plans to double the proportion of renewable energy to 15 per cent by 2020.

-- China is already a leading manufacturer of solar photo-voltaic technology with 820 megawatts of production by the end of 2007, second only to Japan.

-- By 2009, China will also become the world’s leading exporter of wind turbines. It is also taking the lead in solar water heaters, energy efficient home appliances, and rechargeable batteries.

-- China is the second largest recipient of sustainable energy investment (USD$12bn) of any other country in the world except Germany.

-- China is introducing fuel efficiency standards for cars which are 40 per cent higher than those in the US. 21 million electric bicycles and 1.64 million energy efficient compact cars were sold in 2007.

For more, have a read of The Climate Group’s executive summary (pdf) and press release. The group's full report is due out on Friday, August 8.

The crucial point to drive home is this: As China and its galloping economy exploit the economic opportunities of the global clean energy revolution, the nation is stimulating tons of new home-grown green jobs.

Can’t help but think of Detroit, as the contrary example.

For decades, the Big Three automakers led anti-fuel efficiency campaigns in Washington that resulted in regulatory freezes and rollbacks of fuel economy improvements, while foreign carmakers got a giant head start. The result? Detroit is now in the red, shedding US jobs and playing catch up in a race with Toyota and other foreign automakers that are now years and years ahead on efficiency.

Hard lesson to master.

Fine time for US policymakers to learn it though -- now that the clean energy train is leaving the station in China, Europe and elsewhere. Let’s hope this time America jumps on in time.

Related Stories:

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China's Clean Energy Performance Outpacing USA

World’s Wind Power Parts: Now Made in China

China Takes Lead in Solar Cell Production

Chinese Solar Energy Company Added 3280 Jobs Since 2005

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