OPINION: China has pledged it will stop building new coal-fired power projects overseas, hoping to contribute to the efforts reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.

While the pledge is an essential step to avoid global warming above 1.5 degrees Celsius, it must be coupled with details to specify the type of projects to be stopped.

Details to be fleshed out include whether the move applies only to co-financed projects as well as wholly Chinese ones, if the ban covers export credit for Chinese technology or equipment, or if they involve Chinese engineering, procurement and construction services.