According to an environmental think tank, China’s carbon dioxide emissions, a significant contributor to climate change, could decrease by one-third by 2035 if the country commits to more ambitious targets in its upcoming United Nations submission.
As part of its obligations under the Paris Agreement, China and other nations are required to present updated and strengthened nationally determined contributions (NDCs) by February, outlining their goals for 2035, as per a Reuters report.
Given that China is the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, its pledges will be under intense scrutiny.
Also read: China to Continue Fossil Fuel Phase-Out and Electricity Reforms, Energy Regulator AnnouncesĀ
According to the Helsinki-based The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), China is well-positioned to achieve its 2030 climate goals and could leverage its strengths in renewable energy to implement policies that would reduce emissions by at least 30% by 2035.
China has not yet provided any details regarding its nationally determined contributions (NDCs) plans.
In August, Li Chuangjun, a senior official in the renewable energy sector, indicated to reporters that the country is “working hard” to set targets for 2035, Reuters reported.
Climate Action Tracker, an independent initiative that evaluates countries’ progress toward the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, labeled China’s most recent NDC submission in 2021 as “highly insufficient.”
Also read: Record Heat Drives Boost in Chinaā€™s Coal Output and Thermal Power GenerationĀ
Classified as a developing country by the U.N., China is not required to make absolute reductions in emissions.
In its latest NDC submission in 2022, the government stated that it had “made every effort” to enhance its climate action.
China might have already reached its goal of peaking carbon emissions “before 2030,” and it has also surpassed its target of boosting wind and solar capacity to 1,200 gigawatts by 2030ā€”achieving this six years ahead of schedule due to a surge in new installations.
CREA indicated that China could establish a 2035 target of 4,500 gigawatts for wind and solar, resulting in a reduction of at least 30% in total power sector emissions.
Furthermore, emissions from steel production could be cut by 45%, while cement emissions might decrease by 20%. CREA also pointed out that ambitious targets for reducing other greenhouse gases, such as methane, are within reach.
Additionally, China has mandated its steel mills undergo “low-carbon renovation,” which is expected to decrease emissions by approximately 53 million metric tons by next year.
