China vows 7–10% emissions cut as EU defends climate leadership

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised that the world can count on Europe’s climate leadership at the United Nations Summit in New York, speaking immediately after Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled his country’s pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, all parties must submit “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) to the global climate action effort, in the shape of emissions reduction targets to 2035. With most countries missing the February deadline, all were expected to share their targets at the event.

The EU, however, has yet to agree on a final target due to disagreement among its member states over the pace of the green transition. Von der Leyen instead reiterated a vague statement of intent from the bloc to cut emissions by between 66.2% and 72.5% compared to 1990 levels, which Euractiv previously reported on.

Xi, speaking by video, said China would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 7-10% “from peak levels” by 2035, while “striving to do better.”

He pledged to expand solar and wind energy capacity to 3600 gigawatts – a sixfold increase compared to 2020 levels – source more than 30% of energy from non-fossil sources, and increase forest stock beyond 24 billion cubic meters.

Calling the green and low-carbon transition “the trend of our time,” Xi said even if some countries are “acting against it” the world should “stay focused on the right direction.” China is by far the world’s biggest CO2 emitter and a clean technology powerhouse at the same time.

Xi urged international coordination on green technologies and “the free flow of quality green products globally so that the benefits of green development can reach all corners of the world.”

Von der Leyen said the EU had already cut emissions by 40% and was on track for its 55% reduction target by 2030. She also pointed to a proposed target to cut net emissions 90% by 2040, although that’s still the subject of tense negotiation.

“Let me assure you: Europe will stay the course on our climate ambition,” von der Leyen said, reiterating the EU’s promise to submit the bloc’s final climate pledge “ahead of COP30,” which begins 10 November. The UN climate conference will be hosted by Brazil in the Amazonian port city of Belém.

In opening remarks, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that submitting the climate pledges was “not an option” but a legal obligation, warning that without these targets “the planet is moving in the dark” in its fight against climate change.

“I call on the countries that have not yet submitted their NDCs: the success of COP 30 in Belém depends on you,” Lula said.

(rh, cz)