China should set a “strong but achievable” target of slashing emissions at least 30 percent by 2035 when it submits updated climate commitments in coming months, a report urged Thursday. Signatories to the 2015 Paris climate accord must announce by next February their updated roadmaps to achieve the treaty’s goal of limiting global temperature rises. China currently aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2060.
But its policies and targets are rated “highly insufficient” to limit global warming to 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the Climate Action Tracker project. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a think tank that tracks climate progress, said Beijing should aim for an absolute emissions reduction target of 30 percent.
As the world’s largest emitter, China’s “ambition in its climate agenda is decisive for keeping the international community on track,” CREA said in a report. To meet that target, Beijing would need to slash electricity sector emissions by 30 percent and emissions from industry by a quarter. It should also set a target of reducing non-CO2 emissions by more than 35 percent, the group said.
The cuts are substantial, but within reach given China’s significant progress on everything from renewable energy installation to electric vehicle uptake, said CREA’s Belinda Schaepe, lead author of the report. “While this is an ambitious target as it requires substanti.
