NEW YORK (September 24, 2025) — At the UN Secretary-General’s Special High-Level Event on Climate Action, Premier Li Qiang announced that China will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% by 2035 as part of its national climate commitment under the Paris Agreement.

China also made several sectoral commitments, including to: increase the share of its non-fossil fuels in its total energy consumption to over 30%, expand the installed capacity of wind and solar to over 6 times 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts, increase forest stocks to 24 billion cubic meters, and make electric vehicles the mainstream of new sales.

The following are statements from WRI’s Global Climate, Economics and Finance Program and WRI China.

Melanie Robinson, Global Climate, Economics and Finance Director at World Resources Institute:

“China has committed to a 7-10% emissions reductions target from peak levels, striving for more. This includes an absolute target and all greenhouse gases for the first time.

“Depending on assumptions, delivering the top end of this target by 2035, would require a decline at least 3 times faster from 2035 to reach China’s 2060 net zero target. 

“However, if China’s pace of deployment of renewables and EVs, and rate of emissions decrease (which was 1% in the first half of 2025, year over year), continues, China would overdeliver on its 2035 target. China has overdelivered in some areas in the past, notably on renewables. Renewables, batteries and EVs are together contributing to a quarter of China’s economic growth. 

“China has the scale, technological ability and economic momentum to play a major role in the transition.”

Dr. Fang Li, Country Director of World Resources Institute China: 

“China's latest NDC marks a new step in its low-carbon transition and provides a key signal to the world as COP30 approaches.

“It is notable that China’s topline target addresses methane and other high-impact greenhouse gases. Reducing these emissions will benefit both the climate and human health, as they also act as ambient pollutants.

“China is working to address the practical challenges of the low-carbon economic transition in ways that are good for growth, jobs and equity. Already China’s economy is seeing the positive impacts of its investments in clean energy. Looking ahead, COP30 will provide both China and the international community with a crucial opportunity to advance the transition toward a cleaner, more prosperous world.”