The Uncertain Transition Away From Coal — Stories from China and the United States

After many years of US-China collaboration on clean energy and greenhouse gas mitigation, the world’s two largest energy consumers have found themselves at the crossroads and taking different paths. The Trump administration has demonstrated an intent to funnel new policy support toward coal fired power and to cut back programs that encourage renewables. China, while still expected to lead the world in coal consumption for the foreseeable future, is undergoing a massive transformation in its coal sector. This event organized by the China Environmental Forum (CEF) discusses the significant reforms reducing pollution and carbon emissions from China’s coal-fired power sector and the social and economic challenges China must address as it moves away from fossil fuels. Speakers include Melanie Hart (Center for America Progress), Hongxia Duan and Lucy Kitson from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). The latter will discuss IISD’s study on the impacts of the phase out of coal subsidies and coalmine restructuring in Shanxi, one of China’s three main coal-mining regions where the challenges of transition is expected to be the most severe. For further information, visit the event webpage on the Wilson Center website.