Still, many observers said Xi’s pledge fell short of expectations.
Yao said the biggest challenge to China’s clean energy transition lies in the limited capacity of its power grid to handle increased renewable energy input.
“China has no problem producing and manufacturing such equipment, but the problem is whether the grid can absorb all this (additional) renewable energy being produced,” she said.
She added that Chinese policymakers are also trying to find a balance between decarbonisation and maintaining flexibility for future economic stimulus.
CLIMATE HEALTH LINKED TO ECONOMY
The UN has hailed Beijing’s commitments but said the world must aim higher as the clock ticks down on rising temperatures.
Alongside China, the UN said about 100 nations have signalled new climate targets ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November.
However, there were also setbacks. The European Union is struggling to find unity on climate action, missing the September deadline to present its climate plan.
Environmental advocates warned that climate health is closely connected to that of the economy, and that environmental degradation can lead to serious financial consequences.
Horton said it is a link China appears to be acting on, while the US remains divided.
He added that the climate agenda should be on the table at all trade talks, especially major ones like the Group of 7 (G7) and Group of 20 (G20) meetings, as “we cannot have a healthy economy without a healthy planet”.
“In China, science and business are starting to work hand-in-hand. Contrast that to the US,” he said.
“On one side of the geopolitical boundary, we have science and policy starting to align, and on the other side, we see the divergence.”
Source: CNA
