A policy brief from Boston University’s 'Global Development Policy Centre' (GDPC) estimated that the emissions generated from the China-backed facilities could consume 1.7 per cent of the global carbon budget needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
The findings come from GDPC’s China’s Global Power (CGP) Database which tracks power plants outside of China that are financed through Chinese investment and loans.
The facilities cumulatively generate 171.6GW of electricity across 1,423 power units (representing 648 power plants) in 92 countries around the world.
Some 113.5GW is already operational, with an additional 58.1GW under construction or planning.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced in September 2021 that China would stop supporting the construction of coal-fired power plants overseas, while likewise promising to scale up support for clean energy.
Nevertheless, coal represents the greatest share of generation at 34 per cent of the capacity...