China announced last week that it will change the way it measures planet-warming pollution by adopting total carbon emissions goals rather than energy consumption targets.
The move could pave the way for hard targets on emissions cuts in the next round of climate pledges under the Paris Agreement in early 2025, analysts said.
“This new approach will help align China’s domestic action with its international commitments,” said Yao Zhe, a global policy analyst for Greenpeace East Asia.
Advertisement
Under the plan, China would shift toward measuring its climate pollution based on absolute emissions targets starting in 2026. The country currently ties carbon reductions to economic growth in what’s known as emissions or energy intensity.
