China has announced a new climate plan, pledging to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7%–10% from their peak by 2035, while also expanding wind and solar power capacity sixfold within the next decade. President Xi Jinping delivered the announcement at a UN climate leaders’ summit, where he indirectly criticized the United States for abandoning its Paris Agreement commitments and dismissing climate change as a “con job.” His remarks highlighted China’s growing leadership in global climate efforts amid Washington’s retreat.
At the summit, Xi stressed that green and low-carbon transformation was the “trend of our times” and called on developed countries to take stronger climate action. While the move marked China’s first promise to reduce emissions instead of just slowing growth, environmentalists argued the target was lower than expected. Observers had hoped Beijing would aim for at least a 30% reduction by 2035 to align with its net-zero pledge for 2060, but China’s cautious stance reflected its focus on stability.
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The United States faced heavy criticism after President Trump, in his UN speech a day earlier, attacked climate science, mocked scientists, and announced a second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Experts argued his decision effectively left the clean energy market to China, which is rapidly advancing in renewable technologies and electric vehicles. Political analysts warned that by clinging to fossil fuels, Washington risks losing the race for future energy dominance.
Other major economies also unveiled their updated climate plans, though many fell short of global expectations. Brazil pledged to reduce emissions by up to 67% by 2035 while increasing efforts against deforestation, and the European Union promised cuts of between 66% and 72% by the same year. Australia announced a goal of slashing emissions by up to 70% from 2005 levels, while Palau, representing small island nations, urged wealthier countries to shoulder greater responsibility under international law.
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledged progress since the Paris Agreement, noting projections of global warming had been reduced from 4°C to 2.6°C. However, he stressed that current pledges still fall far short of the 1.5°C target, warning that the world must act “much further, much faster.” With the COP30 summit in Brazil drawing closer, leaders face mounting pressure to prove they take climate science seriously and deliver ambitious commitments.