Water–Energy Nexus in the People’s Republic of China and Emerging Issues

The growth in demand for energy and water in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is likely to decelerate in response to the efforts of the government to improve energy and water use efficiency. These efforts are prompted by mounting concern about air pollution caused by the increasing use of coal-based energy, water and soil pollution associated with coal mining, heavy use of water to cool coal-fired power plants, and the need to safeguard the PRC’s energy security by promoting the use of cleaner renewable energy and a more diversified energy supply mix with a lower share of coal.