China makes landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions

“The targets should be seen as a floor rather than a ceiling,” said Li Shuo, director of China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute.

“China’s rapid clean tech growth […] could propel the country much further over the coming decade,” he added.

“China’s 2035 target simply isn’t representative of the pace of the energy transition in the country,” agreed Bernice Lee, distinguished fellow and senior adviser at Chatham House.

“There’s a case to be made that Beijing missed a trick in landing a more ambitious goal as it would have won broad global praise – a stark contrast to the US,” she added.

While China ramps up its renewables, it continues to rely heavily on coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel.

Last year saw China’s electricity generation from coal hit a new record – although initial data suggests it has fallen in the first half of 2025 amid a surge in solar electricity.

“There is also mounting evidence that the country’s emissions are plateauing, with this year’s levels expected to be lower than in 2024,” said Li Shuo.

Today’s new target signals “the beginning of decarbonisation after decades of rapid emissions growth”, he added.