China surged past the United States in clean energy investment and finance for the first time last year, becoming the global leader in the booming renewable energy market, according to a new report. In 2009, China invested $34.6 billion in the development of renewable energy, nearly twice as much as the $18.6 billion spent by the U.S., according to an analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts. Five years ago, China spent just $2.5 billion. And while the report said the economic recession was a factor, it concluded that China’s growing dominance in green energy reflects a lack of long-term policies in the U.S. to provide incentives for the production of alternative energy. “The United States’ competitive position is at risk in the emerging clean energy economy,” said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group’s Global Warming Campaign. In terms of dollars invested as a share of the total economy, the U.S. dropped below 10 other nations. For example, in relative terms, Spain spent five times more than the U.S. last year. From 2005 to 2009, China’s clean energy investment, particularly in wind and solar, increased 148 percent.
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