China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has for the first time announced a concrete target to reduce its emissions.
In a video address to the United Nations in New York, President Xi Jinping said the country will cut greenhouse gas emissions across its economy by 7-10% by 2035, while "striving to do better."
The pledge marks a major step in China’s climate strategy, coming as other global powers show less commitment to reducing emissions.
President Xi highlighted that "these targets represent China's best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris agreement," adding that the plan covers all greenhouse gases, not just carbon dioxide, and will be measured from peak emission levels, though the timing of that peak was not specified.
China also intends to expand wind and solar power capacity to more than six times 2020 levels, boost forest stocks to over 24 billion cubic meters, and make "new energy vehicles" the mainstream in new vehicle sales.
The announcement coincides with the UN General Assembly in New York, where countries are racing to submit new climate plans that align with the Paris Agreement’s goals.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the urgency, saying, "We absolutely need countries to come [...] with climate action plans that are fully aligned with 1.5 degrees, that cover the whole of their economies and the whole of their greenhouse gas emissions."
He added that a drastic reduction in emissions in the coming years is critical to keeping the 1.5°C target within reach.
China’s role is pivotal. In 2023, the country accounted for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, almost 14 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent.
Even a 10% reduction would remove about 1.4 billion tonnes a year, nearly four times the UK’s total annual emissions.
Yet, experts say the new pledge falls short of what would be needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, said, "Anything less than 30% is definitely not aligned with 1.5 degrees."
He noted that achieving the target may require reductions exceeding 50% by 2035.
Despite concerns, China’s record of exceeding its climate goals offers hope. The country had promised to reach 1,200 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity by 2030 but surpassed that in 2024, six years ahead of schedule.
Li Shuo, director of China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said, "The targets should be seen as a floor rather than a ceiling. China’s rapid clean tech growth […] could propel the country much further over the coming decade."
However, China continues to rely heavily on coal. Last year, coal-generated electricity hit a record high, although preliminary data indicates a drop in the first half of 2025 amid a rise in solar power.
Li added, "Today's new target signals the beginning of decarbonisation after decades of rapid emissions growth."
While some critics argue the plan could have been more ambitious, the announcement places China at the center of global efforts to curb climate change, contrasting sharply with other major economies that are scaling back commitments.