Wei Peng appears on PBS’ Energy Switch to talk China’s energy and climate policies

By the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

When it comes to energy use and production, China stands alone. The country consumes more coal, produces more solar panels, installs more solar and wind, and builds more power plants and hydro dams, all while creating nearly a third of the world’s CO₂ emissions.

Wei Peng, an assistant professor of public and international affairs and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, was a guest on PBS’ Energy Switch for a two-part series on China’s energy and climate policies.

“China is an important part of the problem,” Peng said. “Thirty percent of emissions come from China. But on the other side, there are other people who see China as a potential climate savior as well because China is a global leader in clean energy — like wind, solar, and electric vehicles. To me, it’s this complex picture of China makes this country both interesting, but also important for us to understand.”

The episodes are available to watch below, online at PBS.com, on the PBS app, and through your local TV markets.