Chinese President Xi Jinping announces bold new climate targets, including major cuts in carbon emissions and a sixfold boost in renewables by 2035 (Photo: Pinterest)
The big announcement came at a global climate summit held on September 24 in which Xi Jinping, the President of China stated that China will reduce its carbon emissions into the atmosphere by 7-10%.
The world has known China as the largest carbon emitter for many years, so this is a major policy direction for a nation that was still so dependent on fossil fuels. China President Xi Jinping also stated that the country within the next ten years aims to increase wind and solar power capacity six times.
Another announcement involved the goal to reach over 30% in non-fossil fuels in the country’s energy structure for which target new infrastructures for energy in China would need to be created.
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Carbon emissions mean the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂), landfill gas, methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, during fossil fuels combustion, industrial processes, deforestation and forest flaring. These gases trap heat, causing overall warming and subsequently altering climatic conditions.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂), from coal, oil and gas burning.
Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) measured as CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) for comparison of their warming potential.
Unbridled emissions have fast-tracked climate change and thus causing sea-level rise, biodiversity destruction and erratic climate systems.
The developed countries on climate were perceived as an almost veiled criticism of the U.S., which has largely faltered in its climate leadership in recent years. Former President Donald Trump has since dismissed climate change as a "con job" and excoriated both the EU as well as China for their renewable investments.
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In a spirit of solidarity, Xi stated the following:
“Green and low-carbon transformation is the trend of our times. Even if some nations resist this shift, the global community must press forward with unshaken confidence and action.”
| Rank | Country | CO₂ Emission | Trend Since 2010 |
| 1 | China | 11.9 | Increased by 38% |
| 2 | United States | 4.9 | Decreased by 13% |
| 3 | India | 2.7 | Steady Increase |
| 4 | Russia | 1.5 | Fluctuating |
| 5 | Japan | 1.1 | Slightly Decline |
China's new climate pledge could signal a tipping point not just for its own development model but for global environment leadership. But with rising emissions and industrial demands, it will take much more than pledges to see that happen and it will require real and measurable changes in practice.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available sources and climate summit statements. It does not reflect classified data or diplomatic positions.
