China Sets Ambitious Climate Goals, Defying US Stance

China's head of state, Xi Jinping, has unveiled new climate protection objectives for the nation, signaling a distinct opposition to the US government's approach. In a video address during a climate summit hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Xi announced that the country's greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decrease by 7 to 10 percent by the year 2035 compared to their peak levels. Without directly naming the United States, Xi criticized nations resisting the global transition to clean energy. According to China's ambitious plans, the installed capacity of wind and solar energy generation is projected to reach 3,600 gigawatts (GW) — more than six times the capacity as of 2020. In comparison, Germany's installed capacity for renewable energies was approximately 190 GW by the end of 2024, as reported by the Federal Network Agency. Additionally, Xi indicated that by 2035, the share of non-fossil fuels in China's energy consumption should surpass 30 percent. It is notable that roughly a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas emissions originate from China. Five years prior, Xi had set a goal for the People's Republic to peak its CO₂ emissions by 2030 and strive for CO₂ neutrality by 2060. However, China has yet to establish specific interim targets to gauge progress. A pressing question among climate advocates is when Chinese emissions will reach their peak and begin to decline again — will it be in 2030 as planned, or could it be earlier? There are emerging assessments suggesting that emissions may have recently decreased, primarily due to a rapid expansion in renewable energy sources. Whether this trend will be sustainable remains uncertain. In his speech, Xi emphasized that the green transition is of utmost importance, urging the international community to maintain their commitment to climate goals, even if some countries oppose this trend. This contrasts sharply with remarks made by US President Donald Trump during his address at the UN General Assembly, where he dismissed climate change as "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the world." Trump criticized nations such as those in the EU and China for their reliance on renewable energy sources, and he has continued to advocate for an energy dominance policy focused on the production and export of fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, and coal, as well as nuclear energy. It is important to note that during his presidency, Trump also led the US in exiting the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015 — a pivotal accord meant to unite countries in addressing climate change. As Xi Jinping sets forth China's ambitious environmental goals, the stark difference in approaches between the US and China reveals a growing rift in global climate leadership. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2