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A new paper from the University of California San Diego details how China faces numerous political, economic and technological obstacles as it tries to transition away from coal—the country's primary energy source—while balancing the need to combat climate change with the need for energy security.

Despite its commitment to "phase down" coal, China has recently been permitting and constructing coal plants at rates not seen in a decade.

"There is an increased focus on energy security in China—in 2021, the country experienced its worst power outages in decades, affecting 20 provinces," said the paper's author, Michael Davidson, an assistant professor with a joint appointment with UC San Diego's Jacobs School of Engineering and School of Global Policy and Strategy.

"While China was able to decrease the coal mining workforce by over 2 million people in the last decade, without major socio-economic repercussions, the next two million are going to be a lot more difficult to cut."

The study makes several policy recommendations, including enhancing market reforms, ensuring stable investment in renewable energy and building in sufficient support for communities, workers and firms.

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