China's New Climate Target Symbolic but Inadequate

China announced an absolute emissions reduction target and related clean-tech pledges.

• Main announcement: China (announced by Xi Jinping) will adopt an absolute emissions reduction target for the first time: cut greenhouse gases by 7–10% by 2035 (from an unspecified peak/year); expand wind and solar capacity more than sixfold from 2020 levels; and make new energy vehicles the mainstream of new car sales.
• Background and related developments: The EU missed the UN deadline to submit updated targets and has issued a statement of intent proposing 66.25–72.5% emissions reductions by 2035 while member states are divided over a 90% 2040 target; the article calls for Europe to agree a credible 2040 target and to back climate partnerships via the next multiannual financial framework, technology-transfer instruments, and local content rules (mentions partner countries Brazil and India and contrasts China’s export-and-investment model).