Amid the opening days of COP30 in Belem, Brazil on 2025-11-12, China is stepping into the climate leadership vacuum left by a retreating United States and a Europe balancing competitiveness with green goals. Finland's Helsingin Sanomat highlighted this shift in a recent editorial.
With Washington absent at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference and even vetoing a global shipping emissions plan at the International Maritime Organization, the US is ceding ground. Meanwhile, EU leaders are recalibrating their strategy, pairing climate targets with economic competitiveness—a move that could dilute collective climate ambition.
In contrast, the Chinese mainland is weaving climate objectives into its economic blueprint. From scaling up renewable energy capacity to pledging deeper emission cuts by 2035, China’s approach marries growth with green innovation. Its investments in clean technology are already driving a global green transition, especially in developing countries grappling with climate risks.
However, the world still lags behind the Paris Agreement’s goals. As some major players pull back from climate financing, stronger partnerships and shared responsibility are crucial to bridge the gap.
Despite these challenges, the UN-led process retains strong business backing. This week, Finland has dispatched a corporate delegation to Belem, showcasing private-sector solutions and a commitment to collective climate action. As COP30 unfolds, many are watching to see if China’s rising role can catalyze the urgent, collaborative response the planet needs.
Reference(s):
China emerges as key force in global climate governance: Finnish media
cgtn.com
