China pledges to cut its climate emissions by 7-10%, Xi Jinping tells UN
Chinese president reveals ‘conservative target’ for cutting greenhouse gas emissions and calls out ‘some countries’ for not doing the same
China, currently the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has announced it aims to cut its emissions by 7 to 10 per cent by 2035, a cautious target analysts said left room for flexibility on future economic policy.
In a video address to United Nations climate talks on Wednesday – held during the annual UN General Assembly meeting – President Xi Jinping told his fellow leaders that China would finally reduce its emissions.
“Green and low-carbon energy and development transition are the trend of our era,” Xi proclaimed.
The announcement comes at a time when the United States is rolling back on its commitments, with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday calling climate change a “con job”, and belittling renewable energy and the concept of climate change.
In a thinly veiled swipe at the US, Xi said: “While some countries are acting against [the trend of fighting climate change], the international community should stay focused in the right direction.”
Xi’s latest emission pledge came on top of a previous goal of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 – a target that China’s own statistics suggest is on track.