Overall NDC Equity Score
Emissions Reductions
Critically Deficient
The NDC doesn’t include significant efforts to reduce their emissions. As a top emitter, China bares high responsibility to the climate crisis.
Gender Justice
Critically Deficient
The NDC doesn’t mention gender in any way.
Youth Inclusion
Critically Deficient
No meaningful mention of youth is included in the NDC.
Summary
China is a developing country and one of the world’s Top 20 Global Emitters, accounting for around 35% of global CO₂ emissions in 2023. In the global climate space, China plays a dual role as both the largest annual emitter and a global leader in renewable energy development. In 2023, China contributed about 60% of global additions in solar photovoltaic, wind power, and electric vehicles.
One outstanding fact about China is the contrast between its current and historical emissions. Although China currently emits the most CO₂ annually, its cumulative historical emissions remain lower than those of the United States and the European Union. China emphasizes the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” while balancing climate action with economic growth and energy security.
China’s NDC has become more ambitious over time, moving from carbon intensity reduction targets in 2015 to carbon neutrality goals and expanded renewable energy targets in 2020 and 2025. However, the NDC still lacks a clear coal phase-out roadmap and stronger absolute emissions reduction targets aligned with the 1.5°C goal.
Outside the NDC, China has implemented notable policies including the national Emissions Trading System, renewable energy expansion, electric vehicle promotion, afforestation programs, and green finance initiatives.
On gender mainstreaming. Gender, women, and female-related issues are not mentioned in the 2025 NDC. In the 2020 NDC, they are mentioned only in a single case related to the Hangzhou Low Carbon Science and Technology Museum. Neither the 2020 nor the 2025 NDC includes a systematic approach to incorporating and empowering women in climate action and climate policy in China.
On youth inclusion. Youth and children are not mentioned in the 2025 NDC. In the 2020 NDC, they are mentioned only in a single case related to the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate and youth leadership in climate action. Neither the 2020 nor the 2025 NDC includes a systematic approach to incorporating and empowering children and youth in climate action and climate policy in China
Highlights
- Introduced a more ambitious economy-wide target by committing to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 7–10% below peak levels by 2035.
- Expanded renewable energy ambition, including a target to increase wind and solar power capacity to over six times the 2020 level.
- Strengthened long-term climate governance through broader coverage of the national carbon emissions trading system (ETS).
- Integrated sectoral transformation goals, including making new energy vehicles, the mainstream of new vehicle sales.
- Included climate adaptation by aiming to establish a climate-resilient society, showing a broader approach beyond mitigation alone.
Lowlights
- The NDC does not clearly distinguish between conditional and unconditional targets or specify implementation pathways in detail.
- No absolute economy-wide emissions cap or quantified near-term reduction target compared with a baseline year was provided.
- The document lacks strong references to youth participation, youth empowerment, and intergenerational engagement in climate governance.
- Gender mainstreaming is largely absent, with limited recognition of women’s leadership or gender-responsive climate policies.
- Some targets remain broad and qualitative, making progress tracking and accountability more difficult.
Key Recommendations
For emission, China’s NDCs have become progressively more ambitious since 2015. In its 2015 NDC, China committed to peaking CO₂ emissions around 2030, reducing carbon intensity by 60–65% from 2005 levels, increasing the share of non-fossil energy to around 20%, and expanding forest stock volume. In 2020, China strengthened its targets by pledging to peak emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, while increasing renewable energy and forest targets.
The 2025 NDC further advances systemic transformation by targeting a 7–10% decline in economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions from peak levels by 2035, expanding renewable energy deployment, promoting electric vehicles, broadening the national carbon market, and building a climate-resilient society. However, it does not mention youth and gender related topics in its 2025 NDC.
For Gender Mainstreaming
- Conduct a comprehensive gender analysis in climate change scenarios in China.
- Integrate findings into all stages of NDC planning and implementation.
- Ensure meaningful participation of women in climate policy decision-making at national and local levels.
- Disaggregate climate data by gender to better understand differential impacts and needs.
- Allocate targeted climate finance for women-led and gender-responsive mitigation and adaptation projects.
- Strengthen capacity-building programs for women in green jobs, renewable energy, and climate leadership.
- Mainstream gender equality principles across all climate policies, monitoring, and reporting frameworks.
For Youth Inclusion
- Explicitly include youth as key stakeholders in the NDC text, recognizing their role in climate governance and implementation.
- Establish a formal national youth climate council or advisory mechanism linked to climate policy decision-making.
- Institutionalize youth participation in NDC design, review, and implementation processes, including consultation requirements.
- Increase youth-focused climate education, capacity-building, and training programs linked to national climate action plans.
- Develop measurable indicators (KPIs) to track youth inclusion, participation, and benefit from climate policies.
- Support and formally recognize youth-led climate initiatives and networks, including structured engagement platforms such as LCOY or equivalent national processes.