China Fails to Meet Key Climate Goals in 2024: Where India Stands

China missed a key climate target in 2024, with emissions rising slightly as coal remained dominant despite record renewable additions.

Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that carbon intensity, which measures how much carbon dioxide is produced per unit of GDP, fell 3.4% in 2024—short of an official target of 3.9, reported Reuters. This puts behind China’s goal of an 18% reduction from 2020 to 2025, which is part of a long term goal to peak CO2 emissions and achieve net neutrality before 2030, according to AFP.

China lagged on its stated targets in 2023 after a post-Covid surge in energy consumption, however, aimed to get back on track last year by redoubling efforts, reported Reuters.

The figures indicate that the world’s biggest emitter is evidently lagging behind on a key commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement.

India Exceeds Climate Targets

India is already meeting and exceeding key climate targets and has a real opportunity to grow even faster using clean energy and industry, UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell told PTI.

Stiell noted that India's vast geography and large population mean a significant number of people are vulnerable to climate impacts, stressing the need for investment in making people, communities, infrastructure and businesses more resilient.

"India is already meeting and exceeding key targets. For example, by installing 100 GW (gigawatts) of solar in record time or providing electricity in every village. I see a real opportunity for India to grow even faster, using clean energy and industry, which will be a huge benefit to India's economic prosperity, with millions more jobs, better health outcomes, more affordable and secure energy accessible to all, and faster-rising living standards for the Indian people," Stiell shared.

(With inputs from PTI.)