China Considers Bid to Host 2028 UN Climate Summit
China is considering a bid to host the United Nations COP33 climate summit in 2028, according to two sources familiar with the matter speaking to AFP. The move aims to project global climate leadership as the world’s second-largest economy balances its massive industrial manufacturing footprint with its position as a dominant exporter of green technologies.
Evaluating the 2028 Asia-Pacific Rotation
The annual UN climate conferences follow a regional rotation schedule. Turkey is slated to host COP31, followed by Ethiopia for COP32 in 2027. Under the UN framework, the 2028 summit allocation falls to the Asia-Pacific regional group.
India previously submitted and then withdrew an offer to host COP33 in April without specifying a reason. South Korea has also voiced interest in holding the international gathering. According to statements provided by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat to AFP, the secretariat has not yet received an official nomination from the Asia-Pacific Regional Group.
Regional groups must hold internal consultations before designating a candidate country. Once an agreement is reached, the chair of the regional group submits a formal nomination directly to the UNFCCC secretariat. Beijing has not yet made a definitive final decision regarding its proposal, and no clear timeline has been established for an announcement, sources noted. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Geopolitical Stakes and Green Technology Economics
Hosting the summit would allow Beijing to burnish its environmental reputation on the global stage. This calculus occurs against a backdrop of shifting Western climate policies. Under President Donald Trump, the United States withdrew from the landmark Paris climate agreement twice while the administration seeks to boost fossil fuels.
As the leading global exporter of green technology—ranging from solar panels and electric vehicles to wind turbines and batteries—China holds deep economic interests in international climate dialogues. However, hosting the negotiations would also place intense international scrutiny on domestic emissions.
With a population of 1.4 billion and a massive manufacturing industry, China remains the world’s biggest greenhouse gas emitter, followed by the United States, India, and the European Union. While Beijing maintains a pledged target to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, its current target is only a modest 7 to 10 percent reduction in economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to peak levels.
Navigating US-China Dynamics and Future Leadership
Bilateral climate cooperation served as a key feature of US-China relations during the administrations of former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. A 2028 summit would likely occur days after the US presidential election to replace Trump, potentially opening avenues for renewed diplomatic collaboration if a Democrat wins the White House.
Alden Meyer of the climate change think tank E3G noted to AFP that the broader bilateral relationship remains complex. The dynamics between Washington and Beijing have operated as a force for both progress and tension throughout the 35-year history of the international climate regime, and those underlying challenges will persist regardless of election outcomes.
As regional consultations continue within the Asia-Pacific group, the formal decision on whether Beijing will formally step forward as the host for COP33 remains open.