China announces its first emission cut targets, says will reduce greenhouses gases by 7 to 10%

In a keenly-awaited announcement, China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has said it plans to cut its emissions by 7 to 10 per cent from its peak levels by the year 2035.

This is the first time China has unveiled a plan to make direct emission reductions. Till now, China was focusing on reducing its emissions intensity, or emissions per unit of GDP. Its absolute emissions have been on the rise.

China accounts for almost a third of the world’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Its emissions in 2024 were estimated at about 15.8 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by Climate Action Tracker, an independent climate-focused platform. The United States, the second largest emitter, is far behind with estimated emissions of about 6 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year, while India