By Abbas Nazil
China’s record-breaking exports of clean energy technologies could prevent about 450 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually once the equipment is deployed, offering a significant boost to global efforts to tackle climate change.
A report by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) estimates that the emissions avoided would be roughly equivalent to Brazil’s annual carbon emissions.
The findings come as demand for renewable energy technologies increases amid disruptions to global oil and gas supplies linked to the war involving Iran, prompting import-dependent countries to explore alternatives to fossil fuels.
According to CREA, China’s exports of clean energy equipment have risen sharply in 2026, covering electric vehicles, wind turbines, batteries and solar energy systems.
Between January and September, Chinese electric vehicle exports increased by 61 per cent compared with the same period last year, while wind turbine shipments rose by 45 per cent.
Battery exports grew by 39 per cent, while overseas sales of solar equipment increased by 22 per cent, the report found.
Lauri Myllyvirta of CREA said the expansion of clean energy was developing much faster than anticipated in recent years, describing the trend as a significant turning point for global energy systems and emissions.
The report estimates that if export trends continue throughout 2026, the clean technologies China exports this year could prevent approximately 8.4 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over their operational lifetimes.
That figure represents about 24 per cent of annual global emissions and exceeds the combined annual emissions of the United States and India, according to the analysis.
The assessment draws on export statistics, electricity systems in destination countries and emissions generated during Chinese manufacturing.
Independent experts said the estimate was consistent with the scale of China’s clean technology exports, although they could not independently validate the underlying data.
China remains the world’s largest supplier of renewable energy equipment and the biggest source of global carbon emissions, highlighting the importance of its role in the transition to cleaner energy.
Despite higher tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, China’s clean technology exports to the United States increased by 13 per cent between January and September compared with the previous year.
Southeast Asia has emerged as a major destination for Chinese clean energy products, with exports to the region increasing by nearly 160 per cent between the same period last year and September 2026, according to energy think tank Ember.
Data from research firm Atlas Public Policy showed that the value of China’s electric vehicle exports reached $72.8 billion in the first nine months of 2026, compared with $39.7 billion during the corresponding period last year.
The region’s growing interest in renewable energy has been reinforced by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil and gas supplies.
The disruptions have increased pressure on countries dependent on imported fossil fuels, contributing to higher electricity and fuel costs and encouraging consumers to consider alternatives such as rooftop solar power.
Yu Sun Chin of Zero Carbon Analytics said interest in clean energy was likely to continue even after the conflict-related disruptions eased.
Several Southeast Asian countries have introduced incentives to accelerate the transition. Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have offered support for solar installations and electric vehicle purchases, while the Philippines has implemented similar measures.
The Philippines became the second-largest destination for Chinese solar exports in the first quarter of 2026, while Indonesia has pledged to install 100 gigawatts of solar power by 2029.
Chin said the expansion of clean energy policies across Southeast Asia reflected a significant shift in the region’s energy choices, adding that emissions reductions were particularly important because the region was highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
The findings highlight the growing influence of international clean technology trade in reducing emissions, as countries seek to improve energy security, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
