
The European Union criticized China’s climate target as “clearly disappointing,” as it aims for a 7% to 10% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
This target “falls significantly short of what we consider both feasible and necessary. This level of ambition is clearly disappointing,” stated European Commissioner for Climate, Wopke Hoekstra, in a press release.
China emits nearly 30% of global greenhouse gases.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the country’s climate target in a video message during the UN General Assembly in New York. He pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% by 2035, compared to this year’s peak emissions, “while making every effort to do better.”
Observers generally agree that these targets are low, but there is potential for China to exceed them through the advancement of “clean” technologies.
To meet the objective of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, Beijing must decrease its emissions by approximately 30% within the next decade compared to 2023 levels. (25/9/25)
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