Coal a setback for efforts to cut emissions

Energy dilemma:: A woman walks across a bridge in front of a chimney billowing smoke from a coal-burning power station in central Beijing. Coal is expected to supply 60% of China’s power in the near future. — Reuters

BEIJING: China is promoting coal-fired power as the ruling Communist Party tries to revive a sluggish economy, prompting warnings Beijing is setting back efforts to cut climate-changing carbon emissions from the biggest global source.

Official plans call for boosting coal production capacity by 300 million tonnes this year, according to news reports.