Enviro News Asia, Beijing — China has officially set its first-ever absolute target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, pledging to cut emissions by 7–10% from peak levels by 2035. The historic commitment was announced by President Xi Jinping during last month’s United Nations Climate Summit, as global efforts intensify ahead of COP30, which will take place next month.
In his speech, Xi affirmed that China will reduce emissions across all economic sectors and strive to exceed the stated targets. As the world’s largest emitter, responsible for about 29% of total global emissions, China’s decision marks a major milestone in the global fight against climate change.
The announcement signals a major policy shift in China’s climate strategy. Previously, Xi had committed to peaking CO₂ emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. However, this is the first time China has set an absolute emissions reduction target, moving beyond its earlier approach based on carbon intensity (emissions per unit of GDP).
Xi also revealed that the share of non-fossil fuels in China’s total energy consumption will rise to over 30% by 2035, compared to 25% in the country’s 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Meanwhile, the nation’s wind and solar power capacity will expand to 3,600 gigawatts (GW) — six times the level recorded in 2020.
By the same year, new energy vehicles (NEVs) — including electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell cars — are expected to dominate China’s new vehicle market. Xi added that the country’s national carbon market will eventually cover all major emission-intensive industries, aligning with the vision of establishing China as a “climate-resilient society” by 2035.
“These targets represent China’s best effort under the spirit of the Paris Agreement,” Xi said. “Achieving them requires strong domestic action as well as an open and collaborative international environment. China has both the determination and confidence to honor its commitments.”
Xi also underscored the need for greater global solidarity in addressing the climate crisis, urging developed nations to take the lead in emission reductions and to provide financial and technological support to developing countries. This, he said, is essential to ensure a fair and balanced global green transition without deepening the North–South divide.
“Great visions demand real action,” Xi concluded. “Climate change is both an urgent and long-term challenge. We must all act faster and more decisively.” (*)
