China pledges modest 10% emission cut by 2035 as COP30 nears. (Photo: China’s Foreign Ministry)
Nearly 100 countries at the United Nations Climate Summit announced that they would finalize or set new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) before COP30 this November.
China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, pledged for the first time to adopt an absolute reduction target, aiming to cut emissions by 7–10% from its peak. However, experts argue that China’s target is too conservative. Meanwhile, most major Southeast Asian countries have yet to release updated NDCs.
China pledges emission cuts of up to 10%
UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders that the drive for climate action comes not only from science but also from law, economics, and people. He noted that global investment in clean energy is already double that in fossil fuels, with clean energy delivering cheaper electricity at record speed—demonstrating its competitiveness and inevitability.
