While the Chinese market might be emerging as the savior for the Big Three — as well as several of the world’s other automakers — the downside of a country as large as China mobilizing is quickly being realized. According to a new study, China has surpassed the U.S. as the world’s largest polluter.
Moreover, the study — which was conducted by the University of California — indicates that previous records were vastly underestimated and that China could have actually overtaken the top spot as early as 2006.
The study also finds that any emissions cuts made by the U.S and Europe are being negated by China’s expanding vehicle fleet and ever-growing manufacturing industry. And there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight, either, as China and the UN both think that richer countries should first cut their pollution, and then help poorer nations.
Further details of the study are expected to be published in next week’s issue of Journal of Environment Economics and Management.
