• China pledges 7–10% emissions cut by 2035
• Plans 6x increase in solar, wind from 2020 levels
• Seeks leadership in global climate governance efforts

China announced new climate goals this week, promising to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from 2005 levels by 2035. The pledge, made by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, Sept. 24, on the sidelines of the United Nations High-Level Climate Summit, comes just months ahead of the COP30 conference in Brazil and is expected to be welcomed by environmental activists.

The world’s largest emitter, responsible for 30% of global emissions, also plans to significantly boost its renewable energy capacity. Over the next decade, China intends to sextuple its solar and wind energy output compared to 2020 levels and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in its total energy consumption to 30%.

These ambitious targets are part of China’s new national climate plan and are expected to accelerate its transition to clean energy, contributing to the global decarbonization of a power sector still dominated by fossil fuels. According to a March report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), China already accounts for 40% of the world’s installed renewable energy capacity and contributed 64% of all new renewable capacity additions in 2024.

Beyond domestic efforts, Beijing aims to position itself as a leading power in future international climate negotiations. China is seeking to fill the leadership vacuum created by the United States’ previous withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, bolstering its image as a responsible global power addressing the climate emergency.

This posture allows China not only to exert greater influence in global climate governance but also to defend its strategic interests concerning the energy transition and emerging green technologies.

“Green and low-carbon transformation is the trend of our times. Despite some countries going against the trend, the international community should stay on the right track, maintain unwavering confidence, unwavering action, and undiminished efforts,” Xi said in comments reported by Reuters.

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