Beijing/New York: By 2035, China aims to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels, with President Xi Jinping pledging to “strive to do better.”
Announcing the country’s new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at the United Nations Climate Summit, (UNCS) Xi outlined an ambitious roadmap to steer the world’s second-largest economy toward a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Delivering his remarks via video message, Xi declared that non-fossil fuels will account for over 30% of China’s total energy consumption by 2035, signaling a significant transition away from coal and other fossil fuels that have historically powered the nation’s rapid economic growth. This shift, he emphasized, is central to China’s efforts to achieve its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
“China is ready to make the utmost efforts to tackle climate change,” Xi said. “Achieving these targets will demand persistent domestic action and a supportive, open international environment.”
Renewable Energy Expansion and Green Transformation: Xi unveiled plans for a six-fold increase in wind and solar power capacity compared to 2020 levels, aiming to reach 3,600 gigawatts by 2035. This massive expansion would make China the undisputed global leader in renewable energy infrastructure, transforming its energy landscape and reducing reliance on high-polluting fuels.
The announcement also included a major push for reforestation, with a target to increase China’s total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters. This move is expected to significantly boost the country’s carbon sequestration capacity, playing a vital role in balancing emissions.
In the transportation sector, China plans to make new energy vehicles (NEVs) — including electric and hydrogen-powered cars — the mainstream choice for new vehicle sales. This aligns with the nation’s broader effort to decarbonize its industrial and urban sectors.
Strengthening Carbon Market and Emissions Control: To tighten oversight of emissions, Xi announced that China’s National Carbon Emissions Trading Market will be expanded to cover major high-emission industries. This expansion will create stronger incentives for companies to transition to cleaner production methods and technologies.
President Xi framed China’s efforts as part of a collective global mission, urging all countries to intensify their climate actions to ensure a sustainable future. “We must join hands to build a future where man and nature coexist harmoniously,” Xi said. “Planet Earth is our only home, and we must protect it together.”
Global Impact and Challenges Ahead: China, as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a critical role in shaping global climate outcomes. Environmental experts have described the announcement as a turning point for international climate action, noting that China’s success in meeting these targets could be decisive in limiting global warming to the 1.5°C goal set by the Paris Agreement.
However, experts also caution that reaching these ambitious targets will require massive investments, technological innovation, and policy reforms, alongside cooperation from other nations. Challenges remain, particularly in balancing economic growth with the need to curb emissions and transition industries dependent on fossil fuels.
