China and U.S. agree to ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets

China and the U.S. agreed to ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement, with Beijing setting a goal for its emissions to peak “around 2030”. It is the first time China — the world’s biggest polluter — has set a date, even approximate, for its emissions to stop increasing, and the White House said China would “try to peak early”. At the same time, the U.S. set a goal to cut its own emissions of the gases blamed for climate change by 26-28 per cent from 2005, in just over two decades time. China will look to “increase the non-fossil fuel share of all energy to around 20 percent by 2030”, the White House said. The proportion stood at 10 percent last year, Chinese officials previously said.

This is a major milestone in the U.S.-China relationship. It shows what’s possible when we work together on an urgent global challenge.

U.S. president Barack Obama

China and the U.S., which together produce around 45 per cent of the world’s carbon dioxide, will be key to ensuring that a global deal on reducing emissions after 2020 is reached in Paris next year. The two countries have long been at loggerheads over global targets, with each saying the other should bear more responsibility for cutting carbon emissions. Their promises, while historic, come amid ongoing challenges like China’s growing need for energy and Obama’s resistant legislature.

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