GLOBAL CLIMATE DEBATE

Study: China Leapfrogs U.S. in Renewable Investment

China now leads the world in spending on solar and wind, according to a study from the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The study looked at spending among the G-20 countries, and for the first time, China spent more than the United States.

Chinese private investment last year was almost $35 billion -- almost double the nearly $19 billion from the U.S. China's spending rose 148 percent in the last four years, and took the country to No. 1 in solar panel and wind turbine manufacturing.

China is trying to meet soaring demand as its population moves to cities.  The government has set a goal of 15 percent of electricity from renewables by 2020.  Three-quarters of its electricity now comes from coal.

The Pew report says the U.S. could still lead in clean energy, thanks to its entrepreneurial tradition and innovation.  But that would require a change in U.S. policies to encourage investment in those technologies.

See the Pew Charitable Trusts study here.