China removes tariffs on coal imports

China announced on Thursday that it was removing customs duties on its coal imports, which could further boost CO2 emissions, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emissions.

The most populous country on the planet promises to start reducing carbon emissions before 2030 by 2020, but its energy balance is still 56% dependent on coal, which is particularly harmful to the atmosphere.

In a press release, the Customs Administration announced the abolition of import tariffs on coal from May 1 and until March 31, 2023.

Imported coal currently has tariffs of between 3% and 6%.

The move is aimed at “further ensuring the country’s energy supply and its development,” the statement said.

The Asian giant, which faced a power shortage last year, has undertaken to restart its coal production and has ordered its mines to produce “as much coal as possible”. Coal power plant projects are also slated to launch in 2021.

Finally, the coal consumption of the world’s second-largest economy grew by 4.9% last year.