US and Rest of World Must Follow China's Lead On Green Energy, Says John Kerry
Longtime Slashdot reader AmiMoJo shares a report from The Guardian: China is leading the world in moving away from fossil fuels, and the rest of the globe -- including the US -- must now follow, the former US secretary of state John Kerry has told the Guardian, as Cop watchers wonder exactly how China is going to approach this year's climate summit. As Cop31 opens -- this year the climate…
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged nations, including the United States, to follow China's lead in transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing green energy, according to The Guardian. As the Cop31 climate conference opens in Turkey, there is much speculation about whether China will move from rhetoric to action at this year's summit.
China recently pledged to actively participate in and lead global climate governance in its 2026 five-year plan. In 2025, clean-tech exports reached $220 billion and are projected to continue growing. China accounts for approximately 85% of solar and 80% of lithium-ion battery production capacity, and nearly 75% of electric cars were manufactured there in 2025.
Kerry emphasized that China's rapid shift towards clean energy is crucial for shaping the future global order and gaining the trust of other countries, particularly autocratic states that can see the economic advantages of low-carbon growth. He believes that witnessing the market's shift towards renewable energy and storage, combined with transitional gas, will compel nations to adopt clean energy solutions, ultimately driving the global transition towards a more sustainable and electrified future.
Written by urgent.news from Slashdot's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
