An expert on climate change and a United Nations official have praised China’s climate efforts, highlighting the country’s leadership in clean energy and its strengthened national commitments.
China announced its 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) on September 24, stating that it will reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035.
Mahesh Pradhan, coordinator of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia under the UN Environment Programme, said China’s newly announced 2035 climate commitments stand out for their ambition and impact.
"First and foremost, as you mentioned, the 2035 NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) announced by China recently is really ambitious. And I think the global community will take stock of this, especially given that the last two rounds of the NDC -- 2015 and 2020. But here in terms of some of the targets, especially on the renewable side, I think it's quite laudable. Especially in terms of a decrease of emissions by seven to 10 percent of the peak levels, but also like one billion tonnes of carbon sort of reduced. At the same time, the non-fossil fuel energy mix going up to 30 percent, and wind and solar six times what is there in 2020. I think these are very commendable targets in the new 2035 NDC," he said.
Jonathan Bradley, executive board president of the European Center for Peace and Development of the United Nations University for Peace, highlighted China’s leadership in advancing alternative energy.
"What I would say is that China has been a leader, a very positive leader, in developing alternative energy sources, and in particular, wind power and solar power, major advances in solar power in China. And the rest of the world should be very grateful and acknowledge that," he said.
The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) opened on Nov. 10 in Belem, Brazil, as world leaders and delegates confront rising global temperatures and push for urgent, coordinated climate action.
The conference also focuses on enhancing emissions reduction and climate resilience, while promoting an inclusive and equitable transition.
A key challenge for COP30 is closing the many gaps that persist in global climate action.
Bradley noted that these gaps are wide, pointing to the gulf between governments’ promises and the actual decline in emissions, a challenge that also reflects disparities in the resources available to wealthy and poorer countries and unequal capacities across regions within nations to respond to climate challenges.
He emphasized that bridging climate gaps depends on government leadership, technological solutions, private-sector engagement, and holding governments to the promises they make.
"One solution is the determination of governments to use technologies to try to bridge those gaps. Governments can't do everything. Businesses and private organizations also can have a major impact too. So they need to be given incentives and encouragements to be also involved. So raising private capital through lowering the cost of capital, for instance, or through other incentives, those will make a big difference. And also, governments need to take seriously the promises they make, and they need to be held to account, which is one reason why COP30 is happening -- to hold governments to account for what they've said," Bradley said.
Experts commend China’s climate contributions
