China’s capital Beijing could be coal-free by the end of the decade as the nation aims to tackle pollution.

Reports claim the smog-plagued city will instead rely on electricity and natural gas for heating, cooking and other uses.

Statistics suggest coal accounted for a quarter of Beijing’s energy use in 2012 and China’s rapid growth means the nation accounts for 46% of coal production worldwide and 49% of global coal usage – almost as much as the rest of the world combined.

The nation is also planning a renewable energy programme in an effort to reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by up to 45% by 2020.

Last year the Chinese Government said it would ban new coal-fired plants in three key industrial regions of the country.