Work out your China electricity emissions
= 105.24 tonnes CO2e in 2025 (Scope 2 (location-based))
Each kWh × 0.526 kg CO2e, the 2025 grid average for China (Ember).
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China electricity emission factor by year
| Year | g CO2e per kWh | kg CO2e per kWh | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 526 | 0.526 | -5.4% |
| 2024 | 556 | 0.556 | -4.6% |
| 2023 | 583 | 0.583 | -0.6% |
| 2022 | 587 | 0.587 | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 599 | 0.599 | -1.2% |
| 2020 | 606 | 0.606 | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 620 | 0.620 | -2.7% |
| 2018 | 637 | 0.637 | -1.1% |
| 2017 | 644 | 0.644 | -1.2% |
| 2016 | 652 | 0.652 | -2.4% |
| 2015 | 668 | 0.668 | -3.7% |
| 2014 | 694 | 0.694 | -3.3% |
| 2013 | 718 | 0.718 | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 720 | 0.720 | -4.3% |
| 2011 | 752 | 0.752 | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 741 | 0.741 | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 753 | 0.753 | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 747 | 0.747 | -4.9% |
| 2007 | 785 | 0.785 | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 787 | 0.787 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 782 | 0.782 | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 779 | 0.779 | -1.6% |
| 2003 | 791 | 0.791 | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 773 | 0.773 | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 763 | 0.763 | -2.6% |
| 2000 | 784 | 0.784 | – |
Lifecycle emissions per kWh of electricity generated in the country (g CO2e per kWh). Excludes imports and grid losses.
China's official electricity factor
the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and National Bureau of Statistics publishes its own figure: 0.531 kg CO2 per kWh in 2023. Carbon Recycling uses it for reporting years up to 2024. For later years Ember's figure is newer, so we use Ember's until the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and National Bureau of Statistics publishes more. The two are worked out differently (sources, years and what is counted), so they don't match exactly. Where a customer or regulator in the country asks for the national figure, this is the one to use.
| Year | kg CO2 per kWh | g CO2 per kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0.531 | 531 |
| 2022 | 0.537 | 537 |
| 2021 | 0.557 | 557 |
National average CO2 per kWh generated, across all power types (coal, hydro, wind, nuclear, solar and others). CO2 only, as published. China also publishes regional and provincial figures, which differ widely; this is the national one. Source: Electricity CO2 emission factor announcements 2024 No. 12, 2024 No. 33 and 2025 No. 47, Table 1, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and National Bureau of Statistics. Source: Ministry of Ecology and Environment and National Bureau of Statistics of China, national average electricity CO2 emission factors (announcements 2024 No. 12, 2024 No. 33, 2025 No. 47).
What China's electricity is made from
In 2025, China generated 10,577.7 TWh of electricity. 58% came from fossil fuels, which is what drives the factor up or down from year to year.
| Source | Share of generation, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Coal | 54.6% |
| Hydro | 13.2% |
| Solar | 11.1% |
| Wind | 10.7% |
| Nuclear | 4.6% |
| Gas | 3.0% |
| Bioenergy | 1.9% |
| Other Fossil | 0.8% |
Worked example
Take a small factory in China using 200,000 kWh a year. 200,000 kWh × 0.526 kg CO2e = 105.2 tonnes CO2e, reported as Scope 2 (location-based).
How to report it
Multiply each site's electricity use in kWh, from its bills or meter readings, by the factor for the year. Report the result as location-based Scope 2. If the site buys renewable electricity backed by certificates recognised in China, you can also show a market-based figure, but keep the location-based one alongside it.
UK companies with a site, warehouse or office here should use this factor for that site, not the UK grid factor. From April 2027, NHS suppliers on contracts over £5 million must report their global footprint, so overseas sites can no longer be left out. For your UK sites, use the UK government grid electricity factor.
In Carbon Recycling, set the site's country to China and its electricity is reported with this factor automatically, while your UK sites stay on the UK government factor.
Related emission factors
- India electricity: 671 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- Japan electricity: 477 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- South Korea electricity: 417 g CO2e per kWh (2025)
- UK grid electricity (UK government factor)
- Electricity emission factors for every country
- Electricity CO2e calculator for any country, to compare China with another country