China sets 17% CO₂ emissions intensity reduction target for 2030

China aims to cut its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 17% by 2030 compared with 2025 levels, according to a newly released national climate plan (Chinese government statement, 29/07/2026).

The plan, jointly published by several government bodies, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), sets out the country's main climate objectives for the 15^th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).

The document states that China will reinforce the monitoring and management of non-CO₂ greenhouse gases while building the capacity to reduce emissions by 30 MtCO₂eq by 2030.

According to the Carbon Peaking Action Plan for 2026–2030, released earlier this month, China also targets increasing the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption to 25% by 2030.

In addition, official figures published by the National Energy Administration (NEA) indicate that coal-fired power represented 49.7% of China's total electricity generation during the first half of 2026, marking the first time its share has dropped below 50% (China’s National Energy Administration, 30/07/2026).

The NEA also reported that China's combined installed wind and solar capacity reached 1.95 TW by the end of June, representing a 16.8% increase compared with the previous year.

Supported by this expansion in installed capacity, renewable electricity generation continued to grow steadily during the first half of 2026, reaching almost 2,000 TWh, an increase of around 9% year on year.

According to the NEA, renewable energy accounted for 41.2% of the country's total electricity generation over the period, exceeding the combined electricity consumption of the tertiary sector and urban and rural households.

China has set the dual objectives of reaching peak CO₂ emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.