China has for the first time made specific emission cut pledges, though its goal of reducing planet-warming greenhouse gases just 7-10 percent by 2035 is seen as far too modest.

But Beijing has often “under-promised and over-delivered”, analysts say, and its pledge offers a path towards more ambitious efforts to tackle climate change.

Here’s what to know:

– Why it matters –

China is the world’s second-biggest economy and the largest polluter. It accounts for nearly 30 percent of global emissions.

It is also a clean energy powerhouse, and sells most of the world’s solar panels, batteries and electric cars.

China’s trajectory determines whether the world will limit end-of-century warming to 1.5C and avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate disruption.

Under the Paris Agreement,

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