China has promised to end its contribution to global heating and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, in a huge move for global climate action. EURACTIV’s media partner, Climate Home News, reports.

In a surprise announcement to the UN general assembly on Tuesday, President Xi Jinping said China would adopt “more vigorous policies and measures” to increase its climate goal and peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030.

In recent months China, the world’s largest emitter, has signalled an intent to strengthen its climate commitments. This is the first time President Xi has spoken of cutting emissions to net zero. It raises the bar for other large emerging economies such as India, where the discussion of achieving carbon neutrality is in its infancy.

“The Paris Agreement on climate change charts the course for the world to transition to green and low-carbon development. It outlines the minimum steps to be taken to protect the Earth, our shared homeland, and all countries must take decisive steps to honour this agreement,” President Xi said in a recorded video message.

He called on all countries to “seize the historic opportunity” of scientific and technological innovation and recover green from the the coronavirus pandemic.

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