China’s decision to stop funding new coal power projects overseas has been welcomed by climate experts, but they were equally disappointed by Beijing’s commitment for projects already under construction, pointing out that this could lead to 300 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), on Monday released a document on the greening of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which will see Beijing completely stop the construction of new coal power plants overseas but proceed cautiously on the ones already under way.

It is the first official document to provide clarity on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge last September to stop building new coal power projects abroad.

Guest post from South China Morning Post