China's New NDC - Where do we go from here? - with Kate Logan, ASPI

China's New NDC - Where do we go from here? - with Kate Logan, ASPI

Author: Beijing Energy Network October 6, 2025 Duration: 26:58

China recently released its official NDC, or Nationally Determined Contribution document, laying out a commitment to reduce carbon emissions 'from peak' by 7-10% by 2035. The document was widely seen as disappointing. Now that the NDC and the initial reactions are out, it's time to take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture. What does this target really mean? What does the NDC signal about China's 15th Five-Year Plan, or for its major emitting sectors such as coal power or coal-to-chemicals? What impact did climate diplomacy or weakened/withdrawn climate commitments from other economies have on China's NDC? Is there a chance that China will use other policies to 'enhance its ambition'?

Our guest today is Kate Logan  Director, China Climate Hub and Climate Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Logan is also a Fellow with ASPI's Center for China Analysis. Her work focuses on enhancing climate progress across Asia and in China especially, including by supporting the international community's engagement with China's climate agenda. She previously worked with ClimateWorks, and also in Beijing with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs. Kate was one of the founders of the Environment China podcast, almost a decade ago, so she has a long connection to the Beijing Energy Network!

Further reading:

Kate Logan and Li Shuo, 'Beijing disappoints on ambition and misses a chance at leadership', Asia Society Policy Institute, September 2025, at https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/unpacking-chinas-new-headline-climate-targets.


Produced by the Beijing Energy Network, Environment China is a bilingual podcast that delves into the complex and vital stories shaping China's ecological landscape. Rather than offering broad pronouncements, it focuses on grounded conversations with the people on the front lines: the advocates campaigning for change, the entrepreneurs building sustainable solutions, and the researchers providing crucial data. Each episode explores the intersection of society, culture, and science, revealing how environmental policy and daily life are intertwined. You'll hear specific discussions about conservation efforts, green technology, urban design, and community initiatives, all framed within the unique context of modern China. This podcast provides a necessary platform for these nuanced voices, translating complex issues into accessible dialogue. It’s an essential listen for anyone seeking to move beyond headlines and understand the real-world work being done to address environmental challenges. By listening to Environment China, you gain insight into the multifaceted movement towards sustainability, one conversation at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Environment China
Podcast Episodes
Sustainable Finance for Seafood – with Qianming (Alice) Chen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:39
Today, we're speaking about the topic of sustainable fishing, and especially the role of finance, with Alice Chen. Qianming (Alice) Chen is a researcher at the International Institute of Green Finance, Central University…
International lessons for Shanxi province's coal transition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:37
In today's episode, we are looking at Shanxi province, known as the country's most coal-intensive provincial economy. Over the past several years, various research cooperation efforts have looked at how Shanxi could tran…
Evolution of China's Green Power Markets - with Sharon Feng [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:17
Today, we're talking about China's evolving market for green energy and renewable power purchases, with Sharon Feng, at Director of Advisory Services and Research at Azure International. Sharon is an expert in China's po…
China's power shortages and solutions - with Xi Xi of iGDP [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:30
Today, we're going back to the hot topic of the past two years, namely the energy transition away from coal and how it relates to energy security concerns, especially the recent power outages that have affected parts of…
Rethinking plastics and marine litter - with Liu Xiao [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:47
Today, we're going to discuss the huge problem of marine plastics. Millions of tons of pastic waste enter the world's oceans every year, and according to the UN Environmental Programme, 85% of marine litter is plastic. P…
Women in Sustainability Ep 2 - with Si Qing, co-founder of Eco Buyer (Chinese episode) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:45
可持续女性系列第二期 - Eco Buyer创始人思晴 实在是听过到太多次"环保和可持续圈还是女生多"(也确实是事实),我们萌生了一个想法:那为什么不干脆做一系列在"可持续议题工作的女性"播客,一起来聊一聊她们独特又好玩的经历和故事,探一探她们所在行业的新鲜事呢? 第二期播客系列我们邀请到了"一棵Eco Buyer"的联合创始人思晴。Eco buyer是一家关心身体健康、动物福祉和地球环境的纯素、纯净美妆和植物基美食的集合店。店里只提供…
Green finance on the Belt and Road – with Christoph Nedopil-Wang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:44
In this episode, we discuss the important topic of green finance in China, especially as it relates to China's investments abroad on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Our guest today is Christoph Nedopil-Wang, Associat…