China’s record clean-tech exports in 2026 could prevent around 450 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year once the equipment is installed and used, according to analysis from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The estimate highlights how solar equipment, batteries, wind turbines and electric vehicles are reshaping energy markets far beyond China.
CREA estimates that the clean technologies exported during 2026 could avoid approximately 8.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide over their operating lifetimes. The calculation comes as an energy crisis linked to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz increases pressure on import-dependent countries to reduce reliance on oil and gas.
China’s clean-tech exports reached new highs
China remains the world’s largest producer of renewable-energy equipment and electric-vehicle technology. Although most of its output is used domestically, exports have expanded rapidly during 2026.
CREA’s analysis of the first nine months of the year found substantial increases compared with the same period in 2025:
- Electric-vehicle exports rose by 61 per cent.
- Wind-turbine shipments increased by 45 per cent.
- Battery exports grew by 39 per cent.
- Overseas sales of solar equipment climbed by 22 per cent.
The value of China’s electric-vehicle exports reached $72.8 billion (€65 billion) between January and September 2026, compared with $39.7 billion (€35.5 billion) during the same period a year earlier, according to Atlas Public Policy.
Southeast Asia emerges as a major market
Southeast Asia has become one of the most important destinations for Chinese clean-energy products. Data from energy think tank Ember indicates that Chinese clean-tech exports to the region increased by almost 160 per cent between January and September compared with the previous year.
Countries across the region are seeking alternatives to imported fossil fuels, particularly as higher energy costs and shipping disruptions expose the risks of dependence on international oil and gas markets. Rooftop solar, electric vehicles and battery storage are increasingly being considered alongside conventional power generation.
Laos, Thailand and Vietnam have introduced incentives supporting solar installation and electric-vehicle purchases. The Philippines has also promoted renewable-energy adoption and was the second-largest destination for Chinese solar exports during the first quarter of 2026. Indonesia has pledged to install 100 gigawatts of solar capacity by 2029.
How the emissions estimate was calculated
CREA’s projection combines export data with information about electricity systems in destination countries and the emissions generated during Chinese manufacturing. It estimates that technologies exported in 2026 could avert about 450 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year once fully deployed.
Over the lifetime of the equipment, the estimated reduction could reach 8.4 billion tonnes. CREA says that figure is equivalent to roughly 24 per cent of current annual global emissions and greater than the combined annual emissions of the United States and India.
The estimate is a projection rather than a directly measured reduction. Independent experts said its scale was broadly consistent with the volume of Chinese exports but were unable to independently validate the full calculation. Actual emissions savings will depend on how quickly projects are installed, which fuels they replace and how efficiently the equipment operates.
Manufacturing emissions remain part of the picture
China is simultaneously the world’s biggest supplier of clean-energy technology and its largest national source of carbon emissions. Manufacturing solar panels, batteries, turbines and vehicles requires significant energy and raw materials.
The climate benefit therefore depends on the balance between emissions created during production and those avoided when the equipment replaces coal, oil or gas. The longer clean technologies operate in electricity systems with declining fossil-fuel use, the greater their potential contribution to emissions reductions.
Energy security is strengthening demand
Disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has added urgency to the search for domestic and regional energy alternatives. The waterway is a major route for global oil and gas supplies, leaving import-dependent economies particularly exposed to conflict, price volatility and transport delays.
Higher fuel and electricity costs are encouraging households, businesses and governments in Southeast Asia to consider renewable options. Experts cited in the analysis expect interest in clean energy to continue even if war-related disruption eases, because countries also view solar power, storage and electrification as tools for improving energy security.
China’s clean-tech exports to the United States also increased by 13 per cent in the first nine months of 2026 despite higher tariffs. That suggests demand remains significant even where trade barriers raise the cost of imported equipment.
What the trend means for Europe
The findings are relevant to Europe’s climate and industrial policy, even though Southeast Asia was the fastest-growing destination identified in the report. European countries are also expanding renewable power, electric transport and battery capacity while seeking to reduce exposure to imported fossil fuels.
China’s manufacturing scale can help lower the cost and accelerate the availability of clean technologies. At the same time, Europe’s energy strategy includes efforts to strengthen domestic production, diversify supply chains and maintain industrial competitiveness. This creates a policy balance between deploying affordable equipment quickly and building resilient European manufacturing capacity.
For Ireland, the wider trend is relevant to renewable electricity, electric-vehicle adoption and energy security. However, the report does not announce a new European Union measure or change Irish law. Its main significance is evidence of how international technology markets may influence the pace and cost of the clean-energy transition.
The wider climate significance
The projected emissions savings come as international efforts to limit global warming remain off track. The scale of the potential reduction illustrates why electrification and renewable deployment are central to climate policy, particularly in fast-growing economies where electricity demand is increasing.
Experts caution that exports alone do not guarantee emissions cuts. Projects must be financed, connected to power grids and operated over time. Grid capacity, storage, local regulations and access to affordable financing will all affect whether the equipment delivers its expected climate benefits.
Even with those uncertainties, the export figures point to a rapid shift in the global energy system. China’s clean-tech manufacturing is enabling countries to add renewable generation and electrified transport at a pace that was difficult to anticipate only a few years ago.
Conclusion
China’s clean-tech exports are becoming a major factor in the global emissions outlook. CREA’s estimate of 8.4 billion tonnes of potential lifetime emissions savings is not a confirmed final total, but it shows the possible climate impact of deploying large volumes of solar equipment, batteries, wind turbines and electric vehicles.
The key test will be whether importing countries can install the technology quickly, modernise their grids and replace fossil-fuel use in practice. If they do, China’s export boom could support both lower emissions and greater energy security across Asia and beyond.