China Signals Climate Ambition Ahead of COP30

Source: UN Social Media / R. Politi 

At the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition held on April 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his first international, climate-focused speech in several years. 

In his remarks, Xi emphasized the importance of multilateralism, warning that "some major country’s persistent pursuit of unilateralism and protectionism has seriously impacted international rules and the international order." 

He also stressed the need for international cooperation in innovation and the free flow of high-quality green technologies for all. Xi called for the acceleration of a just and green transition to create jobs, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and promote economic growth. Finally, he urged for results-oriented actions. 

It was not surprising that China is aiming for more ambitious goals in the green transition. In October 2024, the Chinese government released the Guiding Opinions on the New Renewable Energy Plan, which aims to accelerate renewable energy. The Plan raised the targets for annual renewable energy consumption to 1.1 billion tons of standard coal equivalent (SCE) by 2025, and 1.5 billion tons of SCE by 2030. 

What is particularly significant about Xi’s speech is that he personally announced the timing and scope of these new targets. He revealed that China’s new 2035 climate targets will cover the entire economy and include all greenhouse gases. His direct involvement signals the climate goals’ importance within the national agenda. The more closely Xi is associated with these goals, the greater the political pressure to ensure they are met and not seen as weak or disappointing. 

With COP30 scheduled to take place in Brazil this November, the Chinese government is expected to release its updated climate targets ahead of the conference. A strong signal from China, the world’s largest energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, could boost global momentum for more ambitious climate pledges. It may also help restore China’s climate leadership role, following the surge in emissions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Updates

• Renewables: China’s combined wind and solar capacity has exceeded that of thermal sources for the first time in history, industry news outlet BJX News reported, with 74 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar installations in the first quarter of 2025 bringing total capacity up to 1,482GW.

• Nuclear: China has approved the construction of 10 new nuclear reactors, Shanghai-based news outlet Jiemian said. The units will have a combined capacity of at least 12GW bringing China’s total nuclear capacity to 113GW once built.

• Electrification: China has called for electrification to account for 10% of the transport sector’s total “end-use energy consumption” by 2027 and for battery electric vehicles (EVs) to make up the majority of new car sales by 2035, East Money reported.

• Green Hydrogen: China has issued its first “green hydrogen certificate”, which was awarded to a “solar + grid power” hydrogen project, the Substack China Hydrogen Bulletin reported. 

• HFCs: China's HFC emissions stood at 273m mtCO2e in 2020, according to the government’s recently-submitted GHG inventory, equal to 2% of China’s CO2 emissions that year, which totaled 11bn tons. HFCs are man-made GHGs that can be several thousand times stronger at absorbing heat than carbon dioxide (CO2). China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of HFCs, accounting for more than 70% of global production and 50% of consumption. It also produces and consumes the majority of the appliances that use them. The government’s plan sets targets and timelines for “gradually reducing” production and consumption of appliances using HFCs by 2030, as well as reducing or banning consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). These include lowering HFC production by 2029 by 10% from a 2024 baseline of 2bn tons of CO2 equivalent (GtCO2e). Consumption would also be reduced 10% from a baseline of 900 mtCO2e in this timeframe. From 2026, China will “prohibit” the production of fridges and freezers using HFC refrigerants. From 2029, it will ban the use of HFCs in most cooling systems, including air conditioners and other refrigeration equipment – prioritizing the automotive, home appliance and industrial cooling sectors. Thanks to CarbonBrief.

Action Items: International Organizations and Climate Advocates 

• Leverage China’s Leadership for Global Momentum: Use China’s elevated climate stance to pressure other countries to raise their ambitions before and during COP30. 

• Promote Technology Transfer: Advocate for the international sharing of green technologies, especially for least-developed countries, to ensure a just energy transition. 

  
  

Action Items: Businesses 

• Align with China's Green Targets: Businesses with supply chains or operations in China should align their energy and emissions strategies with China’s new targets to maintain regulatory compliance and competitive advantage. 

• Prepare for Climate Disclosure: Anticipate stricter carbon accounting and disclosure requirements in China, especially with the expanded focus on economy-wide emissions.