China Sets 7-10% Emissions Cut By 2035
At a U.N. climate summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that China will cut its carbon emissions by 7 to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035. This is the first time China has pledged an actual reduction rather than just a plateau.
Details Of The Pledge
Alongside the emissions target, Xi said China would expand its solar and wind capacity six-fold relative to 2020 levels. He also pledged that non-fossil energy would make up over 30 percent of China’s energy mix in the coming decade.
China’s Emissions Profile
China is currently the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, responsible for about 31 percent of global CO₂ emissions. The country had previously committed to peaking emissions before 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2060.
Expert And Global Reactions
Though welcomed as a step forward, analysts say the new target may not go far enough to align with the 1.5 °C Paris threshold. Critics point out that China continues to build and operate coal plants, which may undercut future emission cuts.
Strategic Implications
China’s move places it in a more assertive climate leadership position, especially as other major emitters have been slow to set concrete cuts. The pledge will be closely watched at the upcoming COP negotiations. Whether China can meet or exceed this target depends on scaling renewables, cutting coal use, and managing industrial demands.
