Jakarta, INTI - China sets the target to reduce CO2 emissions intensity per unit of GDP by 3.8% in 2026, and by 17% by 2030 as part of their new climate and energy transition related goals.
These goals were released as part of China’s new Five-Year Plan. The plan also includes a GDP growth target of 4.5% to 5% for 2026, a pace that would see absolute emissions increase based on the emissions intensity goal.
Compared to other countries, China produces more greenhouse gases (GHG), accounting for nearly 30% of GHG emissions in 2024. This new intensity target is considered more cautious than the climate strategy announced last year, which estimated a 7%–10% absolute reduction in GHG emissions from peak levels by 2035. It is also China's first target for absolute emissions reductions.
While the new targets are considered more moderate, the government work report released alongside the five-year plan still affirms China's commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Moreover, China aims for non-fossil energy to account for around 25% of total energy consumption by 2030, compared to current levels of approximately 15%, and its existing goal to increase the share of non-fossil energy to more than 30% by 2035.
Coal Energy Targets Peak Consumption in The New Five-Year Plan Period
Meanwhile, coal remains China's largest energy source, accounting for more than half of national energy consumption. The targets in coal energy consumption in the new plan are also considered more cautious, only targeting peak coal consumption during the five-year plan period. This is a contrast to the 2021 commitment, which called for coal consumption reductions between 2026 and 2030.
Although China continues to increase investment in clean energy, some environmental groups consider the latest climate targets less ambitious. Norah Zhang, China lead at Climate Action Tracker, called the five-year plan a "missed opportunity" that could have set more far-reaching targets.
The Climate Action Tracker also highlighted that the emissions intensity reduction target by 2030 is lower than the 18% target in the previous five-year plan, which it estimated China did not achieve. They believe that better international practice is to shift from intensity targets which allows for emissions to increase if economic growth is strong, and towards absolute targets.
Conclusion
China has set new targets for reducing CO2 emissions intensity as part of its energy and climate transition plan in its latest five-year plan, while maintaining economic growth targets that could potentially increase emissions in absolute terms. While affirming its commitment to peak emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, as well as increasing the share of non-fossil fuels, some observers consider these targets to be cautious and under-ambitious compared to the global need to reduce emissions.
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