China pledges to become carbon neutral before 2060

Unexpectedly forthright pledge will boost UN efforts to galvanise action on climate crisis

China will reach carbon neutrality before 2060 and ensure its greenhouse gas emissions peak in the next decade, Xi Jinping has told the UN general assembly.

China will scale up its intended nationally determined contributions [under the Paris climate agreement] by adopting more vigorous policies and measures," the Chinese president said, calling for a green recovery" from the coronavirus pandemic.