China unveiled new climate commitments on Wednesday, signaling a shift toward deeper emissions reductions while indirectly criticizing U.S. resistance to climate action.
Speaking via video link at a climate leaders’ summit hosted by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, President Xi Jinping announced that China will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7–10% from peak levels by 2035 — the first time Beijing has pledged actual reductions rather than slowing growth. Xi also committed to expanding wind and solar power capacity sixfold from 2020 levels within the next decade, raising the share of non-fossil fuels in China’s energy consumption to over 30%.
Xi urged wealthier nations to take stronger action, warning against those “going against the trend” of green development — a pointed reference to the United States. His remarks came one day after President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a “con job” during his U.N. General Assembly address, denounced scientists as “stupid,” and reiterated plans to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
The contrast underscored a shifting global dynamic: while China, the world’s largest current emitter, moves toward greater investment in renewable energy, Washington has doubled down on fossil fuel reliance. Analysts said Trump’s stance risks ceding the market for post-carbon energy technologies to China.
Still, many observers described Beijing’s pledge as modest. Environmental groups and analysts had hoped for a reduction target of at least 30% to align with China’s earlier goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060. Li Shuo of the Asia Society’s China Climate Hub said the plan reflects Beijing’s cautious political approach, though its rapid green tech expansion suggests potential for more ambitious action.
Other major economies also announced updated targets. Brazil committed to cutting emissions 59–67% by 2035 and intensifying efforts against deforestation. The European Union, still finalizing its 2035 pledge, said it remains on track to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030. Australia pledged to slash emissions 62–70% by 2035, while the Pacific island nation of Palau — speaking for vulnerable small island states — urged industrialized countries to shoulder greater responsibility under international law.
Despite these steps, environmental groups warned that the pledges remain insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Guterres praised progress under the Paris Agreement, which has already lowered projected warming from 4°C to 2.6°C, but stressed that current commitments remain far short of what science demands.
“The world is moving, but not nearly fast enough,” Guterres said. “We need new plans for 2035 that go much further, much faster.”
