China's Bold Climate Move: Cutting Emissions and Boosting Green Power by 2035!

China, known as the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has made a significant announcement regarding its efforts to combat climate change. For the first time, the country has set an absolute target to reduce its emissions. President Xi Jinping delivered this message in a video statement to the United Nations in New York, pledging that China will cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent across its entire economy by 2035. He also mentioned that China would strive to do even better if possible. This pledge comes at a time when the United States is pulling back on its climate commitments, with President Donald Trump recently calling climate change a 'con job. ' Some environmentalists and experts believe China's plan does not go far enough to meet global climate goals, but others see it as a step in the right direction.

Countries are required to submit new climate action plans every five years as part of the Paris Agreement, a landmark deal signed by nearly 200 nations to limit global warming. The deadline for these new commitments, which cover emissions cuts by 2035, was originally set for February but has been extended to the end of September. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of these pledges, stating that drastic reductions in emissions are needed in the next few years to keep the long-term rise in global temperatures below 1. 5 degrees Celsius. Recent data shows that global temperatures have already risen more than 1. 5 degrees above pre-industrial levels, making the need for action even more urgent.

China's role is crucial in achieving these climate targets, as it was responsible for more than a quarter of global emissions in 2023, amounting to almost 14 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent. A 10 percent reduction would mean cutting 1. 4 billion tonnes annually, which is nearly four times the UK's total yearly emissions. However, experts argue that this is still not enough to meet international climate goals, with some suggesting that China needs to cut emissions by at least 30 percent or even 50 percent by 2035. Despite these concerns, China has a history of exceeding its climate commitments, such as reaching its wind and solar power capacity goal six years ahead of schedule. The country is also expanding its use of renewable energy, increasing forest stocks, and promoting electric vehicles. While China continues to rely heavily on coal, there are signs that its emissions are leveling off, and the new target marks the beginning of a shift toward decarbonization after decades of rapid growth. Many experts hope that China will continue to accelerate its efforts and set even more ambitious goals in the future.