Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/climate-business-environment-beijing-economy-8023a20303f690bda410c222c4a1a975
With COVID-19 and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine threatening global energy resources, the global economy and some of the wealthiest states are facing economic hardship. In an attempt to revive from this energy crisis and economic sluggishness, the CCP is planning to increase coal production by 300 million tons, a 7% increase from last year.
This move has faced backlash from several environmental activist groups stating that China is threatening environmental sustainability and the future of the planet, as coal is one of the dirtiest energy sources and releases pollutants and greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere in its production and use. Activists also claim that this can knock China off of its path to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 as well.
This boost in coal is a geopolitical move by China as international politics and affairs appear to become more and more chaotic. Energy concerns have threatened several countries that relied on Eastern European oil and gas. Since the importation and use of this Eastern European oil and gas have become increasingly difficult because of the Russo-Ukrainian War, states have had to become more self-reliant on oil and gas. Since China does not want to be at the will of international powers to supply its energy needs, they have to begin producing more coal.
This also clearly demonstrates the international community's take on environmental sustainability. Environmental sustainability is a priority to many countries until it affects geopolitical concerns. No country wants to be outproduced and fall behind, therefore they will continue to economically produce even if it does jeopardize the environment. This competition will continue to make it difficult for countries to reach carbon neutrality and mitigate the climate crisis. China’s coal mines are not within its ecumene, the eastern border with the Pacific ocean. Rather, it is located in the central and western parts of the country, away from its population centers. China by producing economically within its less populated and developed areas demonstrates its use of effective national territory, or areas within a country that are less developed yet still contain natural resources. China attempts to develop infrastructure and make the effective national territory more populated by usually incentivizing Han Chinese to move to the effective national territory and empty space, as the ecumene and population centers are becoming overpopulated.