Chinese emissions could peak before 2030

Lord Oxburgh said: “This pledge by China shows that it is absolutely serious about taking the risks of climate change seriously and taking action to mitigate them. China also tends to be conservative on targets like this, so it seems likely that Chinese emissions will peak before 2030.

“For doubters who question the feasibility of cutting fossil fuel use and scaling up renewable energy, China is living proof of what can be achieved, even in major economies, and I have no doubt that we will once again be astonished by Chinese progress."

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Sir Crispin Tickell said that the Chinese INDC confirmed the government’s commitment to tackling issues like air pollution.

“It [the INDC] confirms the determination of the Chinese Government to cope with the crucial problems, in particular over water shortages and air pollution, which affect the rest of the world as well as China,” he said.