Today’s world is in the midst of great changes that have not been seen in a century, and climate change has emerged as one of the most urgent global challenges. This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Since the inception of international negotiations on climate change in 1990, humanity has embarked on a 35-year journey to address climate change through international cooperation. 

However, we are now witnessing that the geopolitical conflicts have intensified, while unilateralism and protectionism have gained ascendancy. Consequently, the global trust deficit is widening, posing serious challenges to multilateral mechanisms for climate cooperation. Amidst these challenges, China firmly believes that the fundamental path for addressing global climate change still rests on upholding multilateralism, strengthening of political will and enhancing institutional synergy, which is also the foundation for achieving the global temperature goals set forth in the Paris Agreement.

I – All Parties should continue to support the international cooperation framework for global climate governance

The 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”) stands as the first international treaty on addressing climate change. It provides a fundamental framework for international cooperation on this issue, marking the dawn of a new era of global climate governance. Over the ensuing three decades, humanity has tirelessly sought to forge an equitable, reasonable, cooperative, and mutually beneficial global climate governance system. Although the process of cooperation has been fraught with twists and turns, global climate governance continues to make positive progress.

The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and came into force in 2005. On the basis of a “top-down” approach, the Kyoto Protocol established more detailed rules for greenhouse gas emissions, setting legally binding emission reduction or limitation targets and timelines for Annex B Parties (primarily developed countries and groups). Specifically, it mandated an overall 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from industrialized countries between 2008 and 2012, compared to 1990 levels. According to the Berlin Mandate, developed countries were expected to take the lead in addressing climate change and its adverse impacts, with specific greenhouse gas reduction obligations and a timeline set for the post-2000 era. Yet, anticipating a possible change in the US administration following President Bill Clinton’s two terms in 2000, the reduction targets set by the Kyoto Protocol began in 2008, and the target year was also adjusted to a range of years. These flexible arrangements fully reflect the rational, pragmatic, and constructive participation of the group of developing countries in the multilateral process.

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which upholds the principles of equity, Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) as enshrined in the Convention, introduced a new model consisting of “Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” and “Global Stocktake”. This marked a new stage in the realm of global climate governance. The “bottom-up” institutional arrangement established by the Paris Agreement ensures that developed countries cannot abstain from the international emissions reduction process, while also affording ample room for developing countries to voluntarily participate in global mitigation efforts. It fosters a gradual enhancement of national ambitions while preserving the credibility of the institutional arrangement, taking into full account Parties’ national circumstances with sustainable development goals. Thus it maximally motivates Parties to participate in global climate governance.

In particular, the Paris Agreement’s two key goals, achieving global carbon peaking and then carbon neutrality, have become the primary goals guiding Parties’ national actions and global efforts to address climate change. The global climate governance system has continued to evolve, forging a multi-layered, diverse, and resilient governance architecture anchored in the Convention and reinforced in the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement. All Parties should keep confidence in this governance framework and strongly uphold it.

II – All Parties should actively address the negative impacts of geopolitical tensions on global climate governance

In recent years, escalating geopolitical tensions and unpredictable economic situations have given rise to a fragmentation of national interests worldwide, casting a shroud of uncertainty over global climate governance. A few countries have exhibited hesitation or retreat in their commitments to multilateralism. The rise of unilateralism and trade protectionism has eroded the political trust that serves as the cornerstone of global climate cooperation. The financial support pledged by developed countries to developing countries has remained a hollow promise, leading to a global “trust deficit”. Some countries are losing confidence in the future of global climate governance, diminishing their resource allocations, and encountering obstacles in advancing collective action and rule-based frameworks. The multilateral framework for climate governance finds itself confronted with complicated and formidable challenges.

Nevertheless, all Parties must acknowledge that the “just, orderly, and equitable” transition away from fossil fuels, initiated at the Dubai Climate Conference, is irreversible. This green and low-carbon transformation, coupled with global climate cooperation, still remains the prevailing trend of our times. The overwhelming majority of Parties to the Convention and its Paris Agreement continue to adhere to this multilateral governance framework, actively advancing a fair, reasonable, and inclusive global climate response process. Multilateralism, serving both as the institutional bulwark and the operational forum in tackling global climate challenges, has proven its indispensable role. In navigating the treacherous waters of global environmental risks, it is imperative to reaffirm political commitment to multilateral cooperation and reinforce institutional arrangements. These actions are crucial to achieving the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and advancing global green and low-carbon transformation.

All Parties must also acknowledge that, as scientific research clearly indicates, global climate change is no longer a future threat but a present-day crisis. Accelerating our global action has become an imperative. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report underscores the insufficiency of current global efforts in adaptation and mitigation. Immediate action, together with the fostering of a coordinated, inclusive, and equitable transition, holds paramount significance. This calls for enhanced financial support and international cooperation.

Moreover, the imperative to address climate change presents significant opportunities for sustainable economic and social development. The response to climate challenges and the pursuit of green, low carbon development have become irreversible trends, deeply embedded in national development strategies worldwide. Industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and lithium batteries have emerged as new drivers for growth and new opportunities for high-quality development.

III – China has always paid high attention and actively participated in global climate governance

China upholds multilateralism and actively engages in multilateral processes of global climate governance. Since 1990, China has been an active participant in the negotiations of the Convention and Kyoto Protocol, steadfastly advocating for international cooperation on climate change. Prior to 1998, when China was still a low-income developing country, China started practicing the concept of sustainable development. Two years after the convening of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, China released the “Agenda 21 for China”, which outlined the strategic goals, key priorities, and major actions for China’s sustainable development, in 1994. With the deepening of the reform and opening-up, China actively integrated into economic globalization, experiencing unprecedented economic growth and rapid increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Recognizing this pressing issue, China embarked on a course of policies and actions in 2007, initiating policies and measures aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and realigning its energy structure. These policies and actions remain unwavering till today.

In 2015, President Xi Jinping attended the Paris Climate Conference and delivered an important speech, making a historic contribution to the conclusion of the Paris Agreement. In September 2016, President Xi Jinping personally presented China’s Instrument of Ratification for the Paris Agreement, which expedited its prompt entry into force and underscored China’s aspirations and determination to tackle climate change.

In September 2020, President Xi announced that China’s ambitious goal to achieve peaking of carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and strive to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. These “dual carbon” goals not only manifest China’s unequivocal commitment to making new contributions to global climate action, but also injects a robust impetus to the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. On April 23, 2025, President Xi addressed the Leaders Meeting on Climate and the Just Transition, where he championed multilateralism, advocated for international cooperation, just transition, and emphasized pragmatic actions, thereby furnishing strategic guidance for global climate governance.

Over the past two decades, China’s economy has sustained rapid and stable growth. In 2010, China became the world’s second-largest economy, yet still remains a middle-income developing country. For years, China has consistently contributed more than 30% to global economic growth annually and accounts for approximately 30% of global manufacturing output. As a “world factory” serving the global market, China’s share of global greenhouse gas emissions remains commensurate with this status. However, this rapid development has also led to rapid growth of China in the share of greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. In recognition of this reality, China has attached paramount importance to addressing climate change and is accelerating its green and low-carbon transition through concerted actions. 

Over the past decade, China’s energy structure has undergone major transformations. The share of coal consumption has decreased from 65.8% to 53.2%, while non-fossil energy consumption has surged from 11.3% to 17.7%. China is in the process of constructing the world’s largest and fastest-growing renewable energy system. By the end of March 2025, China’s installed renewable energy capacity had reached 1.966 billion kilowatts, constituting approximately 57.3% of the country’s total installed power generation capacity. Notably, the total installed capacity of wind power and photovoltaic power generation amounted to 1.482 billion kilowatts, historically exceeding the full-caliber coal power capacity (1.45 billion kilowatts). China has also established the world’s largest and most complete new energy industry chain, supplying 70% of global wind power equipment and 80% of photovoltaic module equipment. This has significantly driven down the global costs for renewable energy.

Furthermore, China has established the world’s largest carbon market in terms of covered greenhouse gas emissions. China’s technological innovations in electric vehicles and energy storage serve as low-carbon solutions for the world. As the largest developing country, China has overcome economic and social development challenges, embarking on a multitude of strategies, measures, and actions to address climate change. Its endeavors have significantly contributed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement. China’s dedication to its “dual carbon” goals remains steadfast and unwavering.

Moreover, China has also actively engaged in South-South cooperation on climate change, extending assistance to other developing countries to the fullest extent of its capacity. Since 2016, China has provided and mobilized over 177 billion RMB in project funding. By the end of 2024, China had signed 54 climate change memorandums of understanding on cooperation with 42 developing countries. Through initiatives such as building low-carbon demonstration zones and conducting mitigation and adaptation projects, China has bolstered the capabilities of developing countries in addressing climate change. China has implemented more than 300 capacity-building projects, offering training to over 10,000 people from more than 120 developing countries.

China has also supported the UN Secretary-General’s “Early Warnings for All” initiative, endeavoring to bolster the adaptive capabilities of developing countries and reduce loss and damage. China continues to assist developing countries, particularly small island developing states, least developed countries, and African nations, and has yielded remarkable achievements across diverse levels and sectors.

IV – All Parties should uphold multilateralism and international cooperation for the future of humanity 

For the sake of humanity’s future, all countries should safeguard the Convention and its Paris Agreement as the cornerstone and main channels for global climate governance. As early as 2017, when the US announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, President Xi Jinping, during his visit to the UN Office at Geneva, emphasized that “The conclusion of the Paris Agreement is a milestone in global climate governance. We must not allow this achievement to come to naught. All Parties should work together to implement the agreement.”

In the wake of the second withdrawal of the US, it is even more imperative that countries should safeguard the goals, principles, cooperation framework, and mechanisms established by the Paris Agreement. All Parties should continue to adhere to the principle of CBDR-RC, in light of different national circumstances. All Parties should engage in concrete cooperation to enhance global efforts and promote a green and just energy transition.

Developed countries must substantially scale up the means of implementation and cultivate a conducive atmosphere for international climate cooperation. As the COP30 President-Designate noted in his letter, the Convention rests on five pillars: mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology, and capacity building. It is imperative for developed countries to make progress in providing support to developing countries in realms such as finance, technology, and capacity building, because these are the foundations for global climate ambition and multilateral trust. In addition, the unilateral trade and technology restriction measures imposed by some countries pose a hindrance to the global endeavor to combat climate change. The countries concerned ought to collaborate in assessing and reviewing their economic, trade, and industrial policies, ensuring they facilitate global climate cooperation rather than inflate the costs for countries striving to meet their NDC targets and navigate energy transitions.

China, as the largest developing country, will continue to play an active role in promoting a fair, reasonable, cooperative, and mutually beneficial global climate governance system. President Xi Jinping has consistently emphasized that addressing climate change is not at the request of others but on China’s own initiative. It is an inherent requirement for sustainable development and an international obligation of a responsible major country. China is committed to accelerating a comprehensive green transformation of its economic and social development, envisioning a model of modernization where humanity and nature coexist in harmony. Additionally, China will continue to offer the world more high-quality green products, thereby promoting global green and low-carbon development. Concurrently, as a member of the Global South, China remains dedicated to South-South cooperation on climate change, extending support to other developing nations, particularly African countries, small island states, and least developed countries, in their efforts to address climate change.

Conclusion

At present, the multilateral process on climate change stands at a crossroads. We have only one Earth. Looking to the future, the only way to save our Earth is to uphold multilateralism and strengthen global climate action. China will remain a firm actor and key contributor to global green development. No matter how the international landscape changes, China’s actions in addressing climate change will not slow down; its efforts to promote international cooperation will not diminish, and its commitment to building a community with a shared future for humankind will not cease.