UK PM 'pushes' China to increase carbon-cutting goals; Jinping says 'it should be gradual'

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he pressed Chinese President Xi Jinping to increase Beijing’s goals to reduce carbon emissions ahe of United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference or COP26. As per Associated Press, Johnson released an updated version of its climate targets this week pledging to hit net-zero carbon emissions by 2060 and also to have carbon dioxide emissions peak by 2030. He told reporters that he “pushed” Xi to move peak to 2025 when both leers spoke on Friday, 29 October. 

However, as UK PM flew to Rome to participate in Group of 20 (G20) Summit, he said, “I wouldn’t say he [Xi Jinping] committed to that.” On Sunday (local time), Johnson will host world leers at two-week climate conference in Glasgow, however, Xi is not participating. 

British PM said that Chinese President explained about Beijing's significant dependence on coal power but Johnson replied by saying that London h also cut its own reliance on coal from 40% of energy in 2008 to 1% to this day. UK PM even called on China to embrace technology to speed transition to green energy. 

Jinping said cuts to greenhouse gases will be ‘grual’

As per Independent report, Xi Jinping warned Boris Johson that reductions to greenhouse gas emissions by world’s biggest carbon emitter, China, would only be “grual.” Both leers spoke just two days before start of COP26, Xi reportedly said that China’s commitment to climate action was “unwavering” but bringing down emissions would require “extensive and profound economic and social changes” and it would be undertaken in a “grual” and an “orderly” manner.

Notably, Beijing’s announcement of commitments to reach peak emissions by 2030 and net zero in 2060 faced backlash. Meanwhile, Xi has also reportedly come under fire for refusing to join over 120 nations’ leers in Glasgow for opening of summit, stated media outlet.

(IMAGE: AP)