China Declares Itself Global Climate Leader Amidst Global Criticism

China has declared itself a global leader in climate action by announcing new carbon emissions reduction targets, aiming for a 7–10% cut by 2035. This comes in stark contrast to U.S. President Trump’s dismissal of climate change as a hoax during a UN speech. Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang, emphasized the urgency of global warming and highlighted China’s efforts toward a green transition. Although China may have peaked in emissions ahead of its target, climate experts stress that the new goals fall short of what is needed to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting warming to 1.5°C, which would require a 30% cut.

The EU has criticized China’s goals as insufficient, citing China’s sizeable share of global emissions and ongoing coal plant developments. Nevertheless, China is making rapid strides in renewable energy, dominating solar panel and electric vehicle markets. Despite these developments, the country is falling short on its previous “carbon intensity” goals due to slowed progress post-pandemic. Analysts argue that while China’s targets are modest, its renewable energy expansion offers significant hope for global decarbonization.