President Xi Jinping stated on Wednesday that China’s commitment to combating climate change will remain steadfast, regardless of global political shifts, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency. Xi expressed these views during a video summit organized by the United Nations and Brazil to address climate change and the concept of a ‘just energy transition.’ He noted that while some major nations are inclined towards unilateralism and protectionism, which disrupt international norms and order, history progresses through complexities.
Xi emphasized the importance of reinforcing the international system centered around the United Nations, especially in turbulent times. Although he did not specifically reference the United States, which is currently engaged in a trade conflict with China and has increased fossil fuel production under President Trump, he acknowledged Brazil’s role in hosting the COP30 climate negotiations this year. Brazil aims to encourage China, the largest global energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, to commit to more ambitious emission reduction targets.
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While countries were expected to submit their new 2035 ‘nationally determined contributions’ (NDCs) by February, only a few have done so. Xi indicated that China would reveal its updated goals prior to the climate discussions in Belem in November. The online summit of world leaders, commencing on Wednesday, is anticipated to focus on the climate objectives of major economies, but China has consistently maintained that its targets will be based on its own needs and capabilities.
Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, remarked that there is likely to be a discrepancy between the requirements for China’s NDCs and what Beijing is prepared to propose.
