In a remarkable shift, coal power generation fell for the first time since the 1970s in China and India, the world’s two largest coal consumers, according to a new analysis. This historic moment could signal a decline in global emissions, as the two countries have been responsible for over 90% of the increase in global carbon emissions between 2015 and 2024.
The report, commissioned by the climate news website Carbon Brief, found that electricity generated by coal plants decreased by 1.6% in China and 3% in India last year. This decline was driven by a record rollout of clean energy projects across both countries, which more than met their growing energy demands.
China added over 300GW of solar power and 100GW of wind power in 2025, setting new records for any country. India also saw a surge in renewable energy, adding 35GW of solar, 6GW of wind, and 3.5GW of hydropower. This rapid clean energy growth accounted for 44% of the reduction in India’s coal and gas consumption, marking the first time that clean energy has played a significant role in driving down the country’s coal-fired power generation.
“The drop in coal power and record increase in clean energy in China and India marks a historic moment,” the report states, adding that this could be “a sign of things to come” and potentially lead to a peak in global coal consumption and emissions.
However, the analysis also noted that about 36% of India’s fossil fuel reduction was driven by milder weather, while 20% was due to slower underlying demand growth. This means that a rise in severe summer temperatures, which could increase demand for air conditioning, could potentially reverse the decline in energy demand.
The report’s findings come in contrast to earlier projections by the International Energy Agency, which had suggested that coal power could remain at near-record levels until 2027, following a rebound after the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The simultaneous fall in coal-powered electricity in the world’s biggest coal-consuming countries has not happened since 1973, according to analysts at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, who co-authored the report. This historic shift could be a significant step towards a more sustainable energy future, as China and India play a crucial role in global emissions.
