China for first time vows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

China on Wednesday committed for the first time to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

China President Xi Jinping said at the United Nations General Assembly session that his country will reduce emissions by 7-10% by 2035. 

The promise is being hailed as a major victory for countries in the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to prevent global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

China is considered the world's largest greenhouse emitter, while the United States is the second. In 2023, China was responsible for over a quarter of planet-warming emissions, according to the BBC.

X also said the commitment was the best his country could do within the parameters of the agreement. He also said China would expand wind and solar power capacity to more than six times 2020 levels.

"Green and low-carbon transformation is the trend of our times," Xi said. "Despite some countries going against the trend, the international community should stay on the right track, maintain unwavering confidence, unwavering action, and undiminished efforts." 

The comment comes after President Donald Trump blasted climate change as a "con job" and other countries for accepting renewable energy technologies.

China's commitment comes ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.