Just a few days before the United Nations conference on climate change ends in Marrakech, Morocco, a new report recognized China’s efforts on meeting the pledges it made in the Paris Agreement.
Alina Averchenkova, the lead author of the report, attributed China’s progress to strong government support for renewable energy development and clean air.
Through China’s consistent efforts to change into a low-carbon economy, its role can be seen as a positive force behind endeavors to save the planet.
"Whatever other countries may do or may not do, China will continue to make genuine efforts to respond to climate change to seek to realize green and sustainable development," said Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai.
According to Adnan Amin, director of the International Renewable Energy Agency, China's de-carbonizing process is sustainable, with an expected rise in demand for clean energy.
China's carbon emissions from fossil fuels went down 0.7 percent last year and are projected to fall 0.5 percent this year, according to the report.
On the contrary, the United States, the top carbon emitter has not undertaken sufficient efforts to meet its pledges.
Trump’s win even adds uncertainties. During his campaign, he said he wants to quit the Paris Climate Agreement and called global warming a hoax invented in China.
Liu Zhenmin, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister and Deputy Head of the Chinese delegation, hoped that U.S. would have a more sustainable climate program. He said U.S. and China have vital roles since they are the top two emitters.
Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy on climate change affairs, added that China is willing to spend around $2.93 billion in sharing its best climate practices with other developing countries.
"China becomes the largest investor for renewable energies across the world," said Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency.
The country is expected to reach its 2020 pledge and help other developing countries do the same.