The Environmental and Human Rights Costs of China’s Clean Energy Investments Abroad

The article highlights the environmental and human rights concerns arising from China’s extensive clean energy investments abroad, focusing on a cluster of battery factories near Debrecen, Hungary. These factories, including a major plant by Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), are part of Hungary’s national strategy to become a leading battery manufacturer, heavily supported by Chinese investment totaling around $17 billion across at least 18 projects. While these developments could position Hungary as a key player in Europe’s clean energy transition, local communities have expressed serious worries about hazardous chemicals, pollution, water usage, and health risks, with activists like Éva Kozma leading opposition efforts. Globally, Chinese firms have pledged approximately $200 billion since 2022 to build clean energy manufacturing infrastructure—factories, mines, and refineries for EVs, batteries, and solar panels—across nearly every continent. This surge in investment is helping to close the funding gap needed to reduce global climate emissions, with Chinese exports