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Analysis and Environment

China's 2060 carbon neutral pledge is a big deal but is it big enough?

By Adam Vaughan

23 September 2020

91av. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine. — Chinese president Xi Jinping addresses the United Nations general assembly on 22 September
Ju Peng/Xinhua/PA Images

China surprised the world yesterday when president Xi Jinping that the country would “achieve carbon neutrality before 2060”.

Until now, 2020 has been an underwhelming year for action on climate change, with a major UN climate summit postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and . China’s new promise of long-term climate ambition is a shining bright spot, and significant for two big…

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