MNI BRIEF: China Emissions Cut Target May Come At Later Date

China may set an explicit target for cutting carbon emissions at a future date and the latest Five-Year Plan to 2025 is just a gradual step in the process as local governments are not yet ready to enforce strict controls, Chai Qimin, the director of National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, said on Friday.

China didn't lay out any such numeric carbon targets at the leadership summit on Earth Day where the U.S. vowed to cut its carbon emissions by 50% to 52% of that in 2005 through 2030. The absence of a China target made advisors doubt whether the country will be on path to meet the ambition of carbon neutrality by 2060.

The 14th Five Year Plan will primarily rely on carbon intensity, with local governments held responsible for not meeting the requirements, Chai said. China sets carbon intensity target as energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission will decline 13.5% and 18% per GDP unit through 2035.