China’s clean energy industry contributed a record 10% of the nation’s GDP in 2024, according to an analysis conducted by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) for Carbon Brief. With total investments and sales reaching 13.6 trillion yuan (US$1.9 trillion), the sector outperformed real estate sales and agriculture.

Electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries were the largest contributors, accounting for 39% of the sector’s value at 5.28 trillion yuan (US$725 billion). The solar power industry followed, adding 2.8 trillion yuan (US$385 billion) to the economy, with additional growth from wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.

The findings highlight clean energy’s role as a major economic driver, reinforcing China’s commitment to sustaining rapid growth in the sector. In contrast, the United States, under the new Trump administration, is shifting focus back to fossil fuels.

The continued expansion of China’s clean energy sector is expected to play a key role in the nation’s economic strategy, particularly with the upcoming Five-Year Plan set to take effect in 2026.