Climate targets: Why Beijing struggles to hit the 1.5-degree pathway despite renewables boom

At the "Third Plenum," China named the reduction of CO2 emissions as an important political goal. Politicians are currently negotiating a new climate plan (NDC). The rapid expansion of renewables and reports that CO2 emissions have peaked should not obscure the challenges. Three factors are slowing down China's climate policy.

Last updated: 24. July 2025