Sixteen provincial-level regions, including Xinjiang, Jiangxi and Hubei, recorded their highest temperatures on record since 1961, the agency said, reflecting the extent of the warming across the country.

Summer conditions were particularly severe. From June to August, the national average temperature stood at 22.3°C, also 1.1°C above normal and tied with 2024 as the hottest summer China has experienced in more than 60 years.

Alongside the rising heat, Beijing also logged its highest annual rainfall since 1961. Both the duration and total precipitation of the rainy season in northern China reached historic highs, highlighting the growing volatility of the country’s climate.

Emissions

The record warmth comes as China remains the world’s largest annual greenhouse gas emitter . In 2020, it released 12.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, accounting for 27% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the World Resources Institute’s CAIT database.

Despite its emissions profile, China continues to frame itself as “the world’s largest developing country” in international climate negotiations. 

Under the 2009 Copenhagen Accord, China committed to cut its carbon intensity by 40-45% from 2005 levels by 2020 and to source 15% of its energy from low-carbon sources. Its former climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, has said carbon intensity fell by 48.4% by 2020, with non-fossil fuels accounting for 15.9% of primary energy consumption.

Countries including the United States have called for a reassessment of responsibilities between developed and developing nations, arguing that China’s status as an upper middle-income, and soon potentially high-income, economy should be reflected in its climate ambitions.

This year, all nations are expected to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions to help meet the global goal of limiting temperature increases to 1.5ºC and preparing for the effects of climate change. The NDCs are revised every five years in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

However, Jusper Machogu, a 30-year-old farmer from Kisii, Kenya , questions the morality and fairness of rich countries, asking Africa to abstain from the very path they used to industrialise.

Machogu, a prominent advocate for the use of fossil fuels in Africa through his social media, presents a counter-narrative—one he says is grounded in the lived experiences of many Africans and shaped by a critique of international climate policy dynamics.

 “Why should Africa stop exploring fossil fuels?" he questioned. "There is no country that has developed using solar and wind. Every developed country is literally burning a lot of oil, coal, and natural gas,” Jusper told Global South World.

He suggests that Africa be given a century-long window to use its fossil fuel resources to lift itself out of poverty before committing to a full transition.

 “We can listen to them once we beat poverty and hunger in Africa—maybe by 2100. That is when we should stop burning fossil fuels, after ensuring every other person in Africa is fed, housed, and has access to water and energy.”

Africa contributes just 4% of the world's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, both in absolute and per capita terms.

Machogu points out the global inequality in energy consumption, highlighting the stark gap between Africa and developed nations.

“The US consumes about 20 million barrels of oil per day. Their population is 330 million people. Africa consumes 4 million barrels per day—our population is 1.5 billion people.”

 “Why should those people expect me to care about the climate?” he questions.

This imbalance, he argues, disqualifies the moral authority of developed nations to lecture Africa on its energy choices.

While renewable energy dominates global discussions, he argues that most of Africa already uses "renewable" sources—but not the kind typically promoted.

 “Almost 90% of our energy in sub-Saharan Africa is from biomass—cow dung, firewood, charcoal, crop residue. That is it.”

He distinguishes between real energy needs and electricity, arguing that the conversation around solar and wind often misses the point.

 “When they say renewable energy, they’re referring to solar and wind. But solar and wind only produce electricity. They cannot run industries, they cannot power transportation... Our energy needs are far broader.”

Africa has historically made much larger investments in fossil fuel infrastructure than in renewable energy initiatives. In the region, solar and wind projects received only $1 USD for every $3 USD invested in fossil fuel power plants between 2015 and 2024. But for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa's history, investments in wind and solar energy exceeded those in fossil fuels in 2023. 

Leaders set a goal last year to raise $1.3 trillion a year from all international sources to support climate action in developing nations by 2035.

It is pledges like this that he says have fuelled African leaders into chasing green funds for political gain. 

“The green energy industry has got a lot of money... Of course, African leaders are going to say, 'we want solar and wind'—that is what gives them funds. But they’re not doing it for the people.”

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The tugboat was built through a partnership between maritime company SAAM and Chile’s national oil firm, Enap .

It will support ships arriving and departing the port and is designed to operate in difficult sea conditions .

Unlike traditional tugboats, Trapananda runs on battery power and does not release any direct carbon dioxide emissions.

It also cuts underwater noise, which helps protect sea life. The electric tug is part of wider efforts to reduce pollution from shipping in Chile and across Latin America.

The tugboat is 25 metres long, built with advanced energy-saving design, and powered by two large electric engines and a lithium battery expected to last 10 years.

It was designed in Canada and built in Turkey. The vessel passed safety tests before entering service and is operated by a Chilean crew trained abroad.

The name Trapananda refers to an old name for Chilean Patagonia, a remote and forested region known for its natural beauty.

SAAM said it chose the name to honour the strength and history of the country’s south.

Home to nearly five million palm trees, the New Valley Governorate generates large volumes of palm frond waste annually. Authorities are now targeting this biomass as a resource for sustainable manufacturing and clean energy.

Minister Fouad noted that the Environment Ministry is actively promoting climate-conscious investment by converting waste into economic assets. A new unit has been established to link investors with green project opportunities, including bioenergy ventures.

El-Zamlout confirmed that the governorate has signed a cooperation agreement with the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation and European partners to build a €70 million factory for producing medium-density fibreboard (MDF) from palm residues.

Shredded palm fronds are also being considered as an alternative fuel source for Egypt’s cement industry, one of the country’s major greenhouse gas emitters. Officials aim to attract specialised companies to invest in processing facilities that would reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Countries across Africa and Asia are increasingly turning palm waste into a valuable resource for clean energy and industrial production.

In Malaysia, government-backed projects in collaboration with Japan are converting palm trunks into biofuel pellets and fiberboards for construction and furniture. The country also produces medium-density fibreboard (MDF) from palm shells and empty fruit bunches, meeting international export standards.

Cameroon is exploring similar waste-to-energy models , with studies highlighting the potential to repurpose over 200,000 tonnes of palm byproducts annually into fuel and fertiliser.

These efforts are part of a broader shift toward circular economy practices, where agricultural waste is transformed into renewable energy and sustainable materials, offering both environmental benefits and economic opportunity.

The project responds to frequent energy crises caused by extreme weather, aiming to make the country’s systems more climate-resilient. Public buildings will be upgraded with insulation, energy-efficient windows, solar panels, and heat pumps, with measures expected to significantly reduce energy consumption and improve comfort year-round.

In parallel, clean transport pilots will introduce electric vehicles, charging stations, and real-time air quality monitoring.

Japan is contributing advanced technology and financing through the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) , which allows for emissions reduction cooperation under the Paris Agreement.

The initiative is part of Uzbekistan’s national goal to cut emissions by 35% and raise clean energy to 25% by 2030.

Beyond emissions, the project promises practical benefits like lower energy bills, improved public health, and more stable indoor climates during extreme heat or cold.

“This project is not just about the environment. It’s about comfort, health, and a sustainable future,” UNDP and the national Agency for Energy Efficiency noted.

Other countries are advancing with decarbonization efforts, with China leading the way, where one of its cities, Shenzhen, became the world’s first city to fully electrify its bus network, deploying 16,000 electric buses by late 2017. This shift cuts fuel use by 345,000 barrels and reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.35 million tonnes annually. The city also built 8,000 charging points and 510 charging stations to support the fleet. Other countries include Chile, Russia, Denmark, Norway and South Africa.  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) leads various global decarbonization initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development with key efforts including, Carbon Payments for Development (CP4D) Facility , launched in 2021, to help developing countries access carbon markets and implement emission-reducing projects, Greening Moonshot initiative to reduce carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 through energy-efficient upgrades, saving millions while cutting emissions by over 3,500 tonnes annually.

Disclaimer: The image for the article was AI-generated