UNEP Warns of a Severe Climate Adaptation Funding Shortfall in Developing Countries; China’s National Energy Administration Releases 15 Hydrogen and Green Fuel Pilot Case Studies
(2026/11/02—2026/11/08)
Author：Hao-Wang
International Energy News
1. UNEP Warns of a Severe Climate Adaptation Funding Shortfall in Developing Countries
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recently released its Adaptation Gap Report 2026. The report found that international public climate adaptation finance from developed to developing countries totalled US$28.2 billion to US$31.7 billion in 2024, an increase of just US$1 billion from the previous year. By 2035, developing countries are projected to need approximately US$305 billion a year for climate adaptation. This estimate largely excludes the private sector’s own adaptation needs.
The report estimates that even if international public adaptation finance triples by 2035, it would cover only 20% to 29% of projected needs after adjusting for inflation. Funding for the least developed countries and small island developing states remains below its 2022 peak. Alongside increasing funding, the report calls for simpler access to finance and better capacity to carry out projects addressing climate risks such as extreme heat, drought and floods.
2. Google Plans Fuel Cells and Carbon Capture for Its Wyoming Data Centre
Google recently announced a long-term investment of US$17 billion in Wyoming, including the construction of its first data centre in the state. The power supply plan includes a 702 MW natural gas fuel cell facility equipped with carbon capture and storage. Under the company’s plan, most of the facility’s carbon dioxide emissions would be captured and permanently stored at a nearby geological storage site.
The data centre will also buy electricity from other gas-fired generators. Google is assessing whether carbon capture equipment can be installed at some combined-cycle gas units. The company said it would cover all the data centre’s electricity costs and pay for infrastructure needed directly as a result of its additional power demand. It also plans to use air cooling to reduce demand on local water resources.
3. IEA Expects Nearly 4,800 GW of Global Renewable Power Capacity Additions Over Six Years
The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released its Renewables 2026 report, projecting that global renewable power capacity will increase by nearly 4,800 GW from 2026 to 2031, almost 60% more than was added over the preceding six years. Solar photovoltaics are expected to account for more than three-quarters of the increase, followed by onshore wind. China is expected to remain the largest contributor, while India is projected to become the second-largest growth market and more than double its installed renewable power capacity by 2031.
The report found that reducing reliance on imported fuels is becoming an important reason for countries to accelerate renewable energy deployment. Meanwhile, the total capacity of advanced renewable energy and storage projects awaiting grid connections worldwide has reached 3,000 GW, up 60% from a year earlier. The IEA recommends accelerating grid investment and connection approvals, and using energy storage and more flexible electricity demand to improve power system flexibility.
Domestic Energy News
1. China’s National Energy Administration Releases 15 Hydrogen and Green Fuel Pilot Case Studies
China’s National Energy Administration recently released the 2026 Case Studies on China’s Hydrogen and Green Fuel Pilots in Shanghai. The publication presents 15 cases from the first round of pilots, covering large-scale production, low-cost storage and transport, integrated applications and technology validation. China reported that its installed renewable hydrogen production capacity had exceeded 350,000 tonnes per year, while its installed production capacity for green ammonia and green methanol had surpassed 1.3 million tonnes per year.
The first phase of the Chifeng green ammonia project in Inner Mongolia has entered operation, with an annual production capacity of 320,000 tonnes. Its overall utilisation rate for wind and solar power exceeds 90%. The hydrogen pipeline from Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner to urban Baotou is about 195 kilometres long and designed to carry 100,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year. The cases also cover the use of green hydrogen in chemical production, illustrating different ways to produce hydrogen with renewable electricity and supply it to industry.
2. Independent Analysis Estimates China’s Third-Quarter CO₂ Emissions Fell 3.1%
Carbon Brief recently published an analysis by a researcher at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Based on official statistics and commercial data, the analysis estimates that China’s carbon dioxide emissions fell 3.1% year on year in the third quarter of 2026, the largest quarterly decline since 2022. Emissions over the first three quarters were estimated to be down approximately 0.5% year on year. Coal and oil consumption fell by about 3% and 4%, respectively, in the third quarter.
The analysis identifies lower coal use in power generation, declining oil consumption in transport and slower growth in the coal-to-chemicals industry as the main drivers. Combined generation from wind, solar and nuclear power increased by about 110 billion kilowatt-hours year on year in the third quarter, more than twice the increase in electricity demand over the same period. Future emissions trends will depend on energy demand, growth in clean power generation and how much wind and solar electricity the grid can absorb.
3. Five Chinese Departments Set a Target to Cut Energy Intensity by Around 10% by 2030
China’s National Development and Reform Commission recently published the Action Plan for Implementing the Comprehensive Resource Conservation Strategy, issued jointly by five departments. The plan calls for energy use per unit of GDP to fall by around 10% by 2030 from 2025 levels. It also targets a reduction of more than 10% in energy use per unit of value added at industrial enterprises above the designated size threshold, and energy savings equivalent to at least 150 million tonnes of standard coal through upgrades in key industries.
The plan calls for closer scrutiny of energy use, coal consumption and carbon emissions in fixed-asset investment projects. It also calls for new, upgraded and expanded industrial projects with high energy use and emissions to be matched by equivalent or greater emissions reductions elsewhere. In addition to energy, the plan covers the efficient use of water, grain, land, minerals and raw materials. It aims to raise the annual volume of major recycled resources to 510 million tonnes by 2030.
(Main news sources: CCTVNEWS APP, International Energy Network, China Energy Network, National Energy Administration, China Energy News)
