China's quarterly CO2 emissions fall 3.1%, largest drop since Covid

· Climate · China

China's carbon dioxide emissions fell 3.1% in the third quarter of 2026, the largest quarterly decline since the Covid pandemic, according to an analysis by Carbon Brief. The analysis attributes the drop in part to the ongoing Hormuz crisis, which has disrupted energy markets, but the brief item does not give further detail on the drivers or the sectors involved. China is the world's largest emitter, so swings in its quarterly emissions shape global CO2 trajectories and are closely watched by analysts, policymakers and investors tracking the energy transition. The figures reflect a single quarter and the published summary provides little additional context on whether the decline is expected to persist.

Why it matters：As the world's largest emitter, shifts in China's quarterly CO2 output move global climate math and expectations for peak emissions, so any sustained decline would affect energy markets and climate policy debates worldwide.

Key points

  • The 3.1% year-on-year drop is the largest since the Covid period.
  • The analysis links the decline partly to the Hormuz crisis affecting energy markets.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day