Press release
China’s updated NDC emphasises green technology boom
25 September 2025
China’s new climate target, announced today during United Nations Climate Summit 2025, commits the country to reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels, and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30% by 2035. President Xi also said that China will “strive to do better” than these targets, and that meeting these targets requires ‘a supportive and open international environment’.
The new targets, which represent China’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), is significant due to China’s role both as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the global leader in clean technology.
China also reiterated its goal to reach carbon peak before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Together with the new 2035 goal, this represents a significant policy framework for China to transition its economy toward cleaner and more sustainable energy practices, and to reach net-zero by 2060.
An important consideration in understanding the role of updated NDCs announced at the Climate Summit is balancing short-term and long-term emission goals. Deeper emission reductions before 2035 would both reduce severe climate impacts, and make it easier to achieve mid-century net-zero targets in a realistic and cost-effective way.
While the collective updated NDCs announced at the UN Climate Summit remain insufficient for the world to fulfil the ambition of the Paris Agreement, it is worth noting that China routinely over-achieves its targets. If recent trends continue, China will extend its massive shift toward green technologies, which will result in exceeding its NDC, and influence global energy markets, technology, and investments.
China’s NDC is also a signal to the international community of China’s engagement in multilateral climate efforts. While there are still areas of tension between China and other countries, especially around issues like finance and the pace of transition, China's NDC update provides a blueprint for how it will deliver on its responsibility to address climate change. It also helps strengthen China’s position as a global leader in addressing climate change.
Apart from the critical importance to China’s own climate mitigation efforts, the new target provides an important reference point to other developing and emerging economies, which are looking to China when developing their own strategies and roadmaps for carbon reduction.
NDCs are national climate action plans submitted by each country under the Paris Agreement. They must reflect a country’s highest possible ambitions, progressively increase ambition over time and must be aligned with 1.5°C.
Specifically in relation to the power generation sector, President Xi announced a commitment to expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power capacity to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts. This is a world-leading commitment, and continues China’s role as the primary market for renewable energy installation. It supersedes the previous target of 1,200 GW by 2030, which was achieved six years early. If the current rapid pace of installation continues, the new target can also expect to be achieved early.
In addition, China’s national emissions trading system will expand to cover key emitting industrial sectors. Recent related announcements of an absolute cap for selected industries from 2027, and an increased focus on information disclosure and public oversight, represent progress towards realisation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and aligns with an overall shift in China’s economic strategy to a low-carbon model.
Fan Danting, Climate and Finance Lawyer, ClientEarth: "In its updated NDC, China has committed to continue its rapid deployment of renewable energy, and reduce emissions from the peak. As the energy transition progresses, a strong legal framework will be needed. Like all countries, China needs a clear and enforceable law to address climate change. Such a law will ensure accountability, align national policies, and mobilise the resources needed to drive the systemic changes required for China to meet its climate targets, safeguarding both its economy and the planet for generations to come."
ENDS
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ClientEarth is a non-profit environmental organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for—and with—its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. In Asia, we work with the private sector, civil society and government regulators to support the net zero transition through capacity building and legal analysis on issues including climate change, sustainability and the environment. ClientEarth teams in Europe, Asia and the USA work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together