Pew study: China is world's leading investor in clean energy

China has overtaken the US to become the world’s leading investor in clean energy, AFP reported. According to a study led by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Chinese investment in clean energy rose by more than 50% to US$34.6 billion in 2009, up from just US$2.5 billion five years ago. Total US investment came to US$18.6 billion, less than half the Chinese figure. Although China has overtaken the US as the world’s top carbon emitter and was criticized for its behavior at the UN summit on climate change in Copenhagen in December, the study found that Beijing is making good on its decision to invest in wind and solar technologies as a means of dealing with rising domestic energy demand. Meanwhile, the US – alongside Australia and Japan – has "less consistent, clear and long-term policies in place," said Phyllis Cuttino, global warming campaign director of the Pew Environment Group.