China Unveils New Climate Goals, Aims to Cut Emissions by 2035
China, the world's largest carbon emitter, has announced new climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% and increase renewable energy capacity by 2035.
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Overview
- China, the largest carbon-polluting nation, has announced new climate goals to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and overall climate pollution over the next decade.
- The core of China's new commitment is to cut emissions by 7-10% by the year 2035, aiming to mitigate its environmental impact.
- President Xi Jinping further committed to a substantial increase in renewable energy, planning to boost wind and solar power capacity sixfold from 2020 levels by 2035.
- These new climate targets are part of China's broader strategy to address environmental concerns and contribute to global efforts against climate change.
- Despite these commitments, China's announced goals have reportedly fallen short of the expectations held by other countries regarding global emission reduction efforts.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story around the urgent global climate crisis, emphasizing the imperative for immediate and stronger action. They consistently highlight the severity of climate change through collective editorial choices, contextualizing new pledges against a backdrop of past failures and ongoing threats. The narrative reinforces the need for collective international efforts.
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FAQ
China aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% by 2035, decrease energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 13.5% and 18% respectively, and increase forest coverage to 24.1%. It also plans a sixfold increase in wind and solar power capacity from 2020 levels by 2035.
China's 2035 goals link to its broader strategy of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, as set in its 14th Five-Year Plan and other climate policies. The 2035 targets emphasize steady decline in emissions after peaking and increasing renewable energy to facilitate this transition.
International observers have noted that while China's 2035 targets show progress, they fall short of global expectations, especially since the targets are largely intensity-based rather than absolute emissions cuts. There is also uncertainty about controls for non-CO2 greenhouse gases and the continued growth in energy consumption projected by China.
China has developed a National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the period 2022-2035, focusing on strengthening resilience in vulnerable regions, improving urban and rural infrastructure, agricultural production, and promoting pilot adaptation projects. By mid-2024, 29 provincial adaptation programs had been implemented.
China plans to boost wind and solar power capacity sixfold from 2020 levels by 2035 as part of its commitment to renewables. This massive scaling up supports the reduction of carbon emissions and aligns with its goals under the 14th Five-Year Plan.
History
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