China has taken the lead in investments in clean energy, spending nearly double what the U.S. did last year, as it ramps up projects in both renewable and traditional energy, the Canadian Press said today, citing a Pew report.
China's investment and financing for clean energy rose to $34.6 billion in 2009, out of globally invested $162 billion, according to the report by the non-profit Pew Charitable Trusts. U.S. spending ranked second, at $18.6 billion, with European nations also recording strong growth.

The report comes as China is clinching a slew of energy and resource-related deals meant to help ensure access to the fuel commodities needed to keep its fast-growing economy, especially the booming auto industry which produced and sold more than 13.6 million vehicles last year.

Yesterday, China's offshore oil and gas company CNOOC agreed to buy 3.6 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually for 20 years from an Australian energy project operated by BG Group PLC. Its worth is estimated at 80 billion Australian dollars ($73 billion).

China, now the world's largest auto market, is urging its auto makers and buyers to focus on clean-energy vehicles, both to counter environmental damage from fossil fuel emissions and to curb its soaring reliance on oil imports.