China has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action while calling for international collaboration following recent U.S. criticism of carbon emission reduction efforts. At a UN meeting, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, emphasized that climate change requires 'global solidarity, not geopolitical point-scoring.'
Geng highlighted China's installation of more renewable energy capacity than all developed nations combined in 2023, with clean energy investments reaching $890 billion. He noted that China accounts for over 50% of global electric vehicle production and has achieved its 2020 carbon intensity reduction targets three years ahead of schedule.
The diplomat criticized what he called 'inconsistent U.S. climate policies,' referencing America's two withdrawals from the Paris Agreement. 'Climate progress requires sustained commitment, not temporary gestures,' Geng stated, while affirming China's willingness to work with all nations, including the U.S., to implement the Paris accord.
The exchange comes as global carbon emissions reached record levels in 2023, with scientists warning the world has less than seven years to halve emissions to avoid catastrophic warming.
