India, China Break Ranks at COP28 on Target for Renewables

Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy for climate, speaks during a news conference at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Dec. 13, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Bhupender Yadav, India's environment and labor minister, leaves a plenary session at the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Dec. 13, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Climate activists protest after a draft of a negotiation deal was released, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 13, 2023.

Widespread satisfaction over a pledge for the world to transition away from fossil fuels was tempered at COP28 by the failure of China and India — the world’s most populous nations — to endorse a related promise to triple their sources of renewable energy by 2030.