China announces plan to cut its greenhouse emissions by 7 to 10%

China, currently the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has announced it aims to cut its emissions by 7-10 per cent by 2035.

In a video address to the United Nations high-level climate summit on Wednesday – which took place during the annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) – Chinese President Xi Jinping told his fellow leaders that China will finally reduce the emissions of the gases that cause global warming and extreme weather.

“Green and low-carbon energy and development transition are the trend of our era,” Xi proclaimed.

The announcement comes at a time when the US is rolling back on its commitments, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday calling climate change a “con job”, and belittling renewable energy and the concept of climate change.

In a thinly-veiled swipe at the US, Xi said: “While some countries are acting against [the trend of fighting climate change], the international community should stay focused in the right direction.”

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Riverside houses collapse after heavy rainfall hits southwestern China

Riverside houses collapse after heavy rainfall hits southwestern China

Xi’s latest emission pledge comes on top of a previous promise to peak its carbon emissions by 2030 – a goal that appears to be on track, according to China’s own statistics.