John Kerry urges world to follow China on green energy
The gist
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry told The Guardian at COP31 that the world, including the US, must follow China's lead on green energy.
China makes most of the world's solar and battery capacity, so its lead shapes global energy costs.
How it unfolded
- 2025China's clean-tech exports exceeded $220 billion.
- Mar 2026China adopted its latest five-year plan, pledging to actively participate in and lead global climate governance.
- Nov 10, 2026COP31 UN Climate Change Conference opened in Turkey and runs until November 20.
Key terms
- COP31
- The 31st session of the UN climate change conference under the UNFCCC, where parties meet to negotiate climate action.
- green energy
- Energy produced from natural sources that are replenished faster than they are consumed, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
- five-year plan
- A series of social and economic development initiatives issued by China's Communist Party, each covering a five-year period.
Source: Wikipedia