Ma Jun: ‘No business interest’ in Chinese coal power due to cheaper renewables
Why it matters: Increased data transparency and corporate accountability in China could significantly accelerate global decarbonization efforts, but consumer willingness to pay for green products remains a key barrier.
- Ma Jun, founder of IPE, advocates for greater data transparency and multi-stakeholder participation to drive climate action in China, building on the success of air quality data initiatives.
- China faces significant hurdles in reducing emissions from sectors where low-carbon alternatives are more expensive, hindering widespread adoption despite government efforts.
- Corporate disclosure rules in China are expanding, potentially creating the largest scale of corporate emissions measurement and disclosure globally, signaling a shift towards greater accountability.
Ma Jun, a prominent Chinese environmental activist, emphasizes the critical role of open data in accelerating China's decarbonization efforts, noting that renewables are now cheaper than coal. He highlights the challenges in decarbonizing 'hard-to-abate' sectors due to the reluctance of consumers to pay a 'green premium' for low-carbon products.
