China has released a new climate action plan outlining targets for 2030, including a 17% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP from 2025 levels. The plan also calls for tighter emissions controls, greater use of non-fossil energy and measures to curb coal and oil consumption.
The plan says China’s carbon-peaking target will be achieved on schedule during the 2026–2030 15th Five-Year Plan period, while its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) will be fully completed. Beijing aims to achieve “significant new progress” in tackling climate change during the period.
The measures cover eight key areas, including controlling carbon dioxide emissions in major sectors, strengthening controls on non-CO2 greenhouse gases, expanding the national carbon market and establishing a carbon-footprint management system. The government also plans to accelerate the development of a new energy system, expand non-fossil energy and promote renewable energy consumption.
The plan broadens the focus beyond carbon dioxide by strengthening controls on methane and nitrous oxide and promoting measures to curb fluorinated gases. It also calls for stronger responses to extreme weather, greater climate adaptation and improved climate-risk management across ecosystems, the economy and key regions.
China’s climate targets include peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. In 2025, President Xi Jinping announced a target under China’s NDCs to cut economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7% to 10% from peak levels by 2035 and raise the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption to more than 30%.
The new plan is part of a broader series of climate and environmental measures announced by Beijing. A July State Council plan also set a 17% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions intensity by 2030 and a 25% share of non-fossil energy consumption. A separate plan for a “Beautiful China” targets an overall improvement in ecological and environmental quality by 2030.
The new measures indicate that green development is being given broader priority across China’s economy for 2026–2030. At the same time, Carbon Brief noted that several headline targets and policies in the plan repeat commitments that had already been established. The government is also seeking a stronger role in global climate governance, including through South-South cooperation on climate change.
