China is committed to sharply limiting its coal consumption but needs new clean technologies before demand can peak, its top climate negotiator said Tuesday. Xie Zhenhua, the vice chairman of China’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission, said at media briefing Tuesday that China was swiftly moving to replace coal consumption with lower-emission alternatives such as natural gas, hydropower and nuclear power. But he declined to give a date by which Chinese coal demand would level off, saying that hinged on China’s ability to overcome technological challenges related to cleaner and renewable energy sources. China aims to make coal the source of 62% of total energy consumption by 2020, down from around 66% last year. Reaching a peak in China’s coal demand “depends upon on technology,” said Mr. Xie. He cited technology issues ranging from the rollout of renewable energy sources such as wind and […]