John Kerry urges China’s climate push to become global model as Cop31 begins

Former US secretary of state John Kerry told the Guardian that most nations are “stumbling along” while Beijing has “hugely accelerated” its shift away from fossil fuels. He said the world, including the United States, must follow China’s example.

The Guardian noted that Cop31 opened in Turkey amid speculation over whether China will finally assume a leadership role it has long avoided. In its five‑year plan adopted in March 2026, China pledged for the first time to “actively participate in and lead global climate governance”.

Kerry’s comments come as the climate summit seeks early signs of Beijing translating its new rhetoric into action. Observers see the summit as a test of China’s willingness to move from pledges to concrete measures, a shift that could reshape international climate cooperation.

Why it matters

Kerry’s warning highlights the importance of China’s emerging climate leadership for global emission reduction efforts.

Key details

Location

China · Asia

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

10 Nov 2026, 17:38 IST

Key names

John Kerry, Cop, Former US, Beijing

Section

Environment

Figure cited

As Cop31 opens – this year the climate conference is in Turkey – there is plenty of speculation about whether China will finally step into the leadership role that it has… (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianUS and rest of world must follow China’s lead on green energy, says John Kerry 10 Nov, 17:38

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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