China Achieves Key 2030 Renewable-Energy NDC Targets Early, MEE Pledges Stronger Carbon Market

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) Vice Minister Li Gao announced on June 17 that China has achieved notable results in energy transition and carbon market development, speaking at the 2026 National Low-Carbon Day main event co-hosted by MEE and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region government in Nanning. Li stated that renewable-energy sources now account for more than 60% of China’s total installed power-generation capacity. He further said that combined installed capacity in wind and solar power, together with energy storage, has already satisfied the corresponding 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets ahead of schedule.

Li signalled an intent to accelerate the development of a national carbon market that is more effective, more dynamic, and more internationally influential. He also called for China to take a proactive role in shaping global climate governance, deepen South-South climate-change cooperation, and actively counter carbon-related trade barriers — widely read as a reference to mechanisms such as border carbon adjustments affecting Chinese exporters.

Separately on June 17, MEE released two new documents: a 2026 progress report on China’s product carbon footprint management system and a 2025 progress report on China’s adaptation to climate change. The adaptation report acknowledges the continuation of global warming trends and increasing frequency of extreme regional weather events, and commits to strengthening China’s climate-adaptation framework and its capacity to manage major climate-related risks and disasters.