As U.N. talks get underway, China is emerging as a key leader in international climate efforts. It is empowering the global energy transition, and along with India and Brazil, is becoming the driving force in climate diplomacy and filling a vacuum left by the world’s rich nations.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/52852111

COP30 in Belém may well be remembered as the moment that the world accepted the leading role of China in addressing humanity’s most important challenge.

but now the E.U. is beset by internal problems. Its primary industrial economy, Germany, is suffering from Chinese competition, and with the rise of right-wing parties, resistance has emerged to the ambitious climate policies of the European Commission. One symptom of these internal troubles was the E.U.’s embarrassing failure to agree its own mitigation targets before the informal deadline of September 30.

The United States, meanwhile, is trying to force its partner countries to buy more U.S. oil and gas.

  • Sepia@mander.xyzEnglish
    21·
    10 hours ago

    @Joncash2@lemmy.ml

    No, I don’t say, “at what cost” … I say the same as in my initial comment: China is far away from any leadership position when it comes to climate change. You need to read a bit more from your own post than just the headline:

    While China appears to be outperforming on its peak emissions pledge, some sectors are moving in the opposite direction. Transport emissions fell by five per cent in Q3, but plastics and chemical production saw a 10 per cent rise. China is also on track to miss its 2020–25 goal of cutting carbon intensity — emissions per unit of GDP — meaning steeper reductions will be required …

    In September, China announced its new 2035 target: cutting total greenhouse gas emissions by 7–10 per cent from their peak. Experts say the target is modest …

    Your linked report contains practically the same content as mine, it’s just that the title appears to be a bit more positive; but that’s unjustified. China is not on track, let alone in a leadership position. Just read the links in my previous comment above.

    [Edit typo.]

    • Joncash2@lemmy.mlEnglish
      12·
      10 hours ago

      That’s worded weird. It’s because they only started decreasing emissions in the last year. So using the 4 years prior to the last year or 2020-2024, of course they missed it. It’s like if you just bought a car and someone came and said well for the 4 years prior you didn’t have a car, so you’re not a car owner.