Climate crisis: China pledges to become carbon neutral by 2060

<p><strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/xi-jinping-6332" target="_blank">President Xi Jinping</a></strong>, in a virtual speech at the United Nations General Assembly, made the announcement after insisting it would hit a peak in carbon dioxide emissions before 2030.</p><p>It marks the first time <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/china-5869" target="_blank">China</a> </strong>has said it will end its net contribution to <strong><a href="https://news.sky.com/topic/climate-change-6161" target="_blank">climate change</a></strong>.</p><p>In the landmark speech, Mr Xi also called on countries to pursue a "green recovery" post-coronavirus and said China would "adopt more vigorous policies and measures".</p><p>He promised to reveal a new "five-year plan" on decarbonisation in a speech that will be welcomed by governments and environmentalists around the world.</p><p>This could now see China re-position itself as a world leader on climate instead of one of the worst global offenders.</p><p>There had been signs it would scale up nationally determined contributions (NDCs) following pressure from the EU.</p><p>NDCs are the pledges countries make on the reduction in emissions they promise to make.</p> <p><strong>Subscribe to the Daily podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sky-news-daily/id951048357?mt=2" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3ByZWFrZXIuY29tL3Nob3cvMzI4NzI0Ni9lcGlzb2Rlcy9mZWVk" target="_blank">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3RdXZrbbG3NydLsPYmRSJy" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/sky-news-daily" target="_blank">Spreaker</a></strong></p><p>This year should have seen the UK host the so-called COP26 (conference of the parties) in Glasgow which would have been a major event when world leaders come together to outline their promises on climate change.</p><p>It has been delayed a year, which some feared could lead to a loss of momentum in tackling the global issue.</p><p>There are also fears that countries will not have the ambition or the finances to be bold on climate change in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p>China's announcement comes just weeks before the crucial US election - the outcome of which is a defining moment on where the country stands on the climate issue.</p><p>If Donald Trump wins re-election there are fears of a global leadership void on climate.</p> <p>China now appears ready to step up.</p><p>Donald Trump, who has called global warming a "hoax", has pulled out of the Paris Agreement on climate change calling it "one-sided" and has failed to pursue policies to tackle the problem.</p><p>He has also accused China of creating "rampant pollution".</p>