On September 24 at the United Nations Climate Summit in New York, Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled Chinas ambitious 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), offering a clear roadmap for greener growth and emission cuts.
The Urgent Climate Context
As the Paris Agreement marks its 10th anniversary, the world faces a critical moment: 2024 saw global temperatures rise approximately 1.550C above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the 1.50C guardrail. Over 100 nations updated their NDCs at the summit, but Chinas targets stand out for their scale and scope.
Bold 2035 Targets
Chinas plan sets economy-wide emission cuts of 7% from peak levels, boosts non-fossil fuels above 30% of total energy use, and expands wind and solar capacity to around 3,600 GWsix times 2020 levels. Forest stock will grow to over 24 billion cubic meters, new energy vehicles will lead auto sales, and the national carbon market will span all major high-emission sectors. By tightening coverage to all greenhouse gases and laying groundwork for a climate-adaptive society, China moves beyond past CO2-centric goals.
A Global Green Catalyst
These steps signal a shift: for the first time, Chinas NDCs target absolute emission cuts across the board, sending ripples through global supply chains, tech investment, and policy debates. Entrepreneurs eye fresh opportunities in renewable infrastructure, while investors and startups race to innovate in clean energy solutions.
Looking Ahead
With these 2035 goals, China hopes to sustain momentum toward carbon peak and neutrality. The challenge now lies in policy execution, cross-sector coordination, and international cooperation. As young global citizens and changemakers, what role will you play in driving this green transformation?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
