John Kerry Says World Must Follow China's Lead on Clean Energy
The former U.S. secretary of state tells the Guardian that China has surged ahead on green energy while most nations lag behind.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on the United States and other nations to emulate China's approach to clean energy, saying Beijing has "hugely accelerated" its transition away from fossil fuels while most countries remain stuck in place. Kerry made the remarks to the Guardian as world leaders gather for Cop31, this year held in Turkey.
Kerry's comments come as international observers closely watch whether China will step into the global climate leadership role it has long sidestepped. Beijing's latest five-year plan, adopted in March 2026, included a first-ever pledge to "actively participate in and lead global climate governance" — language that raised expectations heading into the summit.
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Whether China translates that pledge into concrete action at Cop31 remains an open question. Historically, Beijing has been reluctant to assume a formal leadership posture in multilateral climate negotiations, even as its domestic investments in renewable energy have expanded at a rapid pace.
Kerry's remarks place him at odds with the current U.S. political climate, where federal support for clean energy has faced significant headwinds. His public endorsement of China's energy trajectory reflects a broader concern among climate advocates that wealthy Western nations are falling behind in the race to decarbonize their economies.
Cop31 may offer the clearest signal yet of whether Beijing is prepared to match its stated ambitions with demonstrable commitments on the world stage. Continue reading at Business | The Guardian.
