A new report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) finds that China's record clean technology exports in 2026 could avoid about 8.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over the lifetime of the equipment. That is roughly 24% of annual global emissions. The estimate covers solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles and batteries shipped this year. Export volumes are up sharply. Compared to the first nine months of 2025, electric vehicle exports rose 61%, wind turbine shipments rose 45%, battery exports rose 39%, and solar equipment sales rose 22%. Southeast Asia was a major destination, with clean energy exports to the region up nearly 160% year on year. The report says the equipment will avoid about 450 million tonnes of CO2 per year once installed, about equal to Brazil's annual emissions. The analysis accounts for Chinese manufacturing emissions. Demand has been boosted by high fossil fuel prices after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and several Southeast Asian countries are offering incentives for solar and EVs.
