China Unveils 2035 Climate Target and Criticises US Over Paris Agreement Retreat
China announced fresh climate commitments at a UN summit on September 24, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7%-10% from their peak by 2035. President Xi Jinping made the announcement via video link from Beijing, adding that the country would expand wind and solar capacity sixfold within the next decade, raising non-fossil fuels to over 30% of domestic energy use.
The pledge marked the first time the world’s largest emitter promised an actual reduction rather than slowing growth, though observers said the target was weaker than expected. Environmental groups had hoped for a 30% cut in line with China’s longer-term net zero by 2060 goal.
Xi’s Veiled Criticism of the US
Xi urged developed countries to step up climate action and made a thinly veiled reference to the United States, which has distanced itself from the Paris Agreement.
«Green and low-carbon transformation is the trend of our times. Despite some countries going against the trend, the international community should stay on the right track,» he said.
His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump dismissed climate change as a «con job» during his UN speech, calling scientists «stupid» and attacking Europe and China for embracing clean energy. Trump has moved to withdraw Washington from the Paris Agreement for a second time, reinforcing fears that the US is abandoning global climate leadership.
Global Reactions and Concerns
Commentators said Trump’s rhetoric had effectively left the field open for China to dominate future energy markets. Ian Bremmer of the Belfer Center warned that Washington risked allowing China to become the world’s «electro-state» while clinging to fossil fuels.
Li Shuo of the Asia Society’s China Climate Hub described Beijing’s pledge as cautious but noted that China’s dominance in renewables could still push it to assume a bigger international role as Washington retreats.
Wider Climate Commitments Fall Short
The summit, hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres alongside the General Assembly, also saw pledges from Brazil, the EU, Australia and small island nations, but observers said overall ambition remained inadequate ahead of COP30 in Brazil later this year.
Brazil committed to cutting emissions by 59%-67% by 2035 and strengthening action against deforestation. The EU promised to deliver on its 2030 target of a 55% cut and set a 2035 goal of 66%-72%. Australia pledged a 62%-70% cut by 2035 compared with 2005 levels. Palau, representing small island states, called on major economies to shoulder greater responsibility.
Guterres said the Paris Agreement had made progress by lowering projected warming, but current pledges still point to a 2.6°C rise, well above the 1.5°C target.
«Now, we need new plans for 2035 that go much further, much faster,» he warned.
Kursiv also reports that Tashkent will receive 200 new electric buses from the Chinese manufacturer Yutong by the end of September.
