Dec 3, 2025 - Energy & Climate
China blowing past world on renewables and EVs
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Not only is China winning the clean energy race, but it's picking up the pace when most other economies — including the U.S. — are slowing down, according to new McKinsey data.
Why it matters: The energy transition is shifting geopolitical alliances and power centers, and China is solidifying its lead while the U.S. falls back.
Reality check: The transition to clean energy is slowing down due to several factors, including President Trump rolling back key incentives.
- Fossil fuels are likely to stay dominant in many parts of our energy systems for decades.
- That will deepen the geopolitical power of the U.S., the world's largest producer of oil and gas.
What we're watching: To what extent efforts by the Trump administration to scale other types of clean tech — namely nuclear power and geothermal — counter China's lead in those areas too.
