Chinese clean technology exports during 2025 avoided approximately 374 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) over the past year, according to an analysis by Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The figure exceeds the annual emissions attributed to the United Kingdom in the analyzed data and reflects the growing weight of equipment manufactured in China within the international energy transition.
Technologies considered include solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, and wind turbines. Photovoltaic energy played a particularly significant role due to the volume of equipment shipped to international markets.
Exported technologies could avoid 6,900 MtCO2 over their operational life
Furthermore, the potential climate impact increases when the entire operational life of the equipment is considered. According to the analysis, clean technologies exported by China during 2025 could avoid approximately 6,900 MtCO2 over their lifetime.
This estimate represents a 31% increase compared to exports in 2024. The amount is roughly equivalent to twice the emissions generated by India over the past year, according to the comparison included in the analysis.
The calculation shows how the effect of clean technology exports extends for years after their manufacture and installation. Photovoltaic panels and wind turbines can displace fossil fuel-based generation, while batteries and electric vehicles support the electrification of other energy segments.
Solar energy drives CO2 reduction in Asia
Additionally, nearly one-third of the avoided emissions identified in the study were related to solar technology exports to South Asia.
Pakistan stands out within this expansion. The country is experiencing strong photovoltaic energy growth that has enabled it to achieve a high solar share in its electricity generation.
Lauri Myllyvirta noted that the current growth of solar energy and electric vehicles in emerging economies was not anticipated in forecasts made five years ago, before the expansion of Chinese clean technology manufacturing capacity.
According to his analysis, increased production expanded supply and reduced prices. At the same time, fossil fuel price crises over the past five years provided additional momentum for the adoption of these alternatives.
China combines industrial production and energy transition
China holds a unique position within the global decarbonization process. The country is the largest carbon emitter according to the reference data in the report, while simultaneously concentrating a significant share of global manufacturing and export of equipment designed to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Large-scale production has enabled solar panels, batteries, wind turbines, and electric vehicles to reach markets where cost constitutes one of the main barriers to advancing electrification.
Likewise, the expansion of these technologies in developing countries is transforming the economics of solar projects, energy storage, and electric mobility.
Clean technology exports reached $194 billion
The energy impact is also accompanied by significant trade flows. Chinese exports of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles reached a value of $194 billion in 2025, according to Chinese customs data included in the analyzed information.
By June 2026, shipments had already accumulated $128 billion, a figure that demonstrates the commercial scale achieved by the sector.
However, emissions avoided through these exports still represent a fraction of global carbon emissions. For reference, these stood at around 39 billion metric tons in 2024, according to Our World in Data cited in the source information.
Future developments will depend on both the volume of clean technologies installed and the energy sources they replace. In this scenario, the growth of Chinese clean technology exports is expanding the international reach of solar energy, electric mobility, storage, and wind generation.
Source: Reuters
Photo: Shutterstock
