As the world grapples with climate change, the commitment to making multilateral agreements has come under strain. In particular, the United States has signaled a retreat from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), raising concerns about the future of international climate cooperation. 

Washington’s reluctance to align with global sustainability targets casts doubt on the effectiveness of collective climate action, as the world’s largest historical emitter steps back from coordinated efforts. This shift has blurred the direction of global climate governance, creating policy uncertainties for both developed and developing nations seeking clear leadership on environmental issues.

In contrast, China’s 2025 two sessions reaffirmed its long-term commitment to sustainable development, carbon neutrality, and green growth, positioning Beijing as a stabilizing force in the global climate agenda. While some economies retreat from multilateral agreements, China is advancing a structured, policy-driven response to balance economic development with environmental responsibility. The policies and targets outlined in this year’s sessions serve as a counterpoint to wavering global commitments, demonstrating a concrete pathway toward achieving climate goals despite international uncertainties.

Against this backdrop, the announcements that came out of China’s two sessions hold even greater weight. The key policy updates — including expanding the carbon market, accelerating renewable energy deployment, and reinforcing green finance mechanisms — signal not only China’s domestic ambitions but also its determination to uphold international climate momentum. As global cooperation faces challenges, China’s policy stability and sustained focus on ecological progress make this year’s climate road map particularly crucial in shaping the future of sustainable development worldwide.

China’s central government reaffirmed its “dual-carbon” commitments — peaking CO2 emissions before 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 — and outlined concrete steps to achieve these goals. The 2025 Government Work Report vowed to “actively and prudently” pursue climate targets, integrating them into national development plans.

China is also enhancing carbon governance mechanisms, improving carbon emissions statistics, accounting, and labeling systems. These measures will help industries adapt to emerging global trade requirements, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, ensuring Chinese exports remain competitive.

Internationally, China signaled a proactive role in climate diplomacy, with Premier Li Qiang stating that China “will actively engage in and steer global environmental and climate governance”. Domestically, China set an energy intensity reduction target of around 3 percent for 2025, a step toward decoupling growth from carbon emissions while maintaining economic momentum.

China continues to lead the world in renewable energy deployment, with over 56 percent of its total power capacity now coming from nonfossil sources. The two sessions reaffirmed China’s commitment to scaling up renewables, particularly through expanding desert solar and wind energy bases, developing offshore wind farms to harness coastal wind power, and modernizing the electricity grid to integrate renewables more effectively.

Beyond carbon reduction, China is doubling down on pollution prevention and ecological conservation. The 2025 Government Work Report highlighted a set of goals including, but not limited to, eliminating heavy air pollution days by the end of 2025 and boosting the share of new energy vehicles.

As for the finance sector, the two sessions emphasized green finance and carbon trading expansion. The People’s Bank of China introduced new lending facilities to support green projects, and carbon trading markets will be expanded, covering more industries and introducing carbon futures to improve price stability. So far, China is one of the world’s largest issuers of green bonds, demonstrating strong financial backing for sustainability efforts.

Technological advancements stand at the center of China’s climate strategy. Beijing is also incentivizing broader “eco-friendly consumption”, encouraging households and businesses to adopt low-carbon products and services.

With the nation’s annual economic growth target remaining at 5 percent, Beijing is taking a strategic approach to balance economic expansion with climate goals. Industrial stakeholders are being urged to engage in green manufacturing and digitalization, and policymakers and investors are being encouraged to prioritize environmental stability.

While some nations are retreating from multilateral commitments, China’s firm stance on sustainability in the 2025 two sessions sends a clear message: Climate action remains a core pillar of national policy. By expanding its renewable energy market, tightening environmental regulations, and integrating green finance mechanisms, China is not only advancing its own sustainability agenda but also influencing global climate governance.

The world is watching whether China’s policy driven approach to green development can serve as a model amid increasing geopolitical and environmental uncertainties. As climate cooperation faces setbacks, China’s continued advancement in green development may prove decisive in shaping the global response to climate change in the years ahead.

The author is director of research at the Institute of Innovative and High-Quality Development (Hong Kong).

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.