The U.S.-hosted 40-nation summit on climate video entered its second day on April 23. Xi Jinping’s speech on April 22 was published in full by Chinese official media. In his speech, Xi confirmed that China will continue to increase its carbon emissions over the next 10 years until it peaks in 2030, when it will begin to reduce emissions again. China currently leads the world in carbon emissions, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total.
In this speech, Xi said, “Last year, I officially announced that China would strive to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.” He added, “This is a major strategic decision made by China based on its responsibility to promote the building of a community of human destiny and the inherent requirement to achieve sustainable development.”
By “carbon peaking” by 2030, Xi means that China’s carbon emissions will continue to grow and peak in the next decade, and then use that peak as a basis for reducing emissions.
At the same time, Xi urged developed countries to provide funding to developing countries to address climate issues. He said, “Developed countries should…provide developing countries with financial, technological and capacity building support, avoid setting up green trade barriers and help them accelerate their green and low-carbon transition.
Before this 40-nation summit on climate, U.S. President Joe Biden’s climate envoy Kerry went to Shanghai on April 14-17 to discuss climate reduction with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua in preparation for Biden’s climate summit.
Kerry said before the trip that China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases in absolute terms, with emissions accounting for nearly 30 percent of the world total, so cooperation with China on climate issues is crucial.
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