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Analysis: China’s clean-tech exports in 2026 to avoid as much CO2 as Brazil emits in a year
China’s clean-energy technology exports in 2026 are on course to avoid about 450 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions outside the country, nearly 2% of those countries’ emissions. The estimate is roughly equal to Brazil’s annual fossil-fuel emissions, showing the growing role Chinese-made solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles play in reducing emissions abroad.
The analysis finds the impact of these exports rose 26% year on year in the first three quarters of 2026, after increasing 36% in 2025. Manufacturing the exported equipment emitted about 170 million tonnes of CO2 in China in 2025, while its use avoided 370 million tonnes elsewhere, meaning the emissions cost was offset in around six months. Solar exports account for most of the projected reductions; China’s wind and solar exports in 2026 could generate about 800 terawatt-hours of electricity, comparable to around 100 coal-fired power plants.
In short
- Chinese clean-tech exports could avoid 450 million tonnes of CO2 in 2026.
- That is roughly equivalent to Brazil’s annual fossil-fuel emissions.
- Solar exports are the largest contributor to avoided emissions.
Explained simply
China makes and sells clean-energy equipment to other countries, including solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles. When used, these products can replace some energy from fossil fuels such as coal and oil, reducing emissions where they are installed.
The estimated climate benefit depends on how much fossil-fuel energy the equipment displaces. Making the products also creates emissions in China, so the analysis compares that manufacturing impact with the emissions avoided during use.
Solar panels account for most of the projected reductions. The figures offer a way to understand the scale of China’s role in supplying clean-energy technology abroad and the balance between emissions from production and benefits during use.
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