Years from now, we may look back on this week as the moment the United States officially jumped the shark on climate — and China stepped forward as the adult in the room.

The contrast could not have been starker. On one side was Donald Trump, delivering an hour-long, grievance-filled tirade at the United Nations General Assembly that was historic in all the wrong ways. 

He derided climate change as a “con job,” mocked Europe’s transition to renewables as “suicidal energy ideas” that “will be the death of Western Europe,” and used the stage to advertise America’s “massive fossil fuel reserves” and ambition to become a “dominant global energy exporter.” His prescription for greatness: more “traditional energy sources” and stronger borders.

One nation clings to the past…

The speech spiralled from there — attacking Joe Biden, the mayor of London, the teleprompter, the escalator and even the UN’s terrazzo floors, all while threatening Brazil with tariffs and boasting of ending seven wars single-handedly. The “time’s up” light glowed red as he spoke four times longer than allotted, and fact-checkers debunked many of his claims. What emerged was not a vision for global leadership, but a rambling pitchman shilling for a declining industry and an increasingly inferior product.

There’s no doubt that world leaders have taken notice. Their silence spoke volumes as they weighed questions Trump likely didn’t intend to raise: Do we really want to tie our energy security to this man? To deepen dependence on U.S. fossil fuels? To risk future bullying through tariffs? Many are already shifting course — seeking more secure trade partners, building self-sufficient energy systems, and accelerating their transition to renewables that are now cheaper than fossil fuels and far less vulnerable to geopolitical risk.

…Another builds the future.

And while the U.S. overplayed its hand and lost the room, China quietly consolidated its position as the world’s clean-tech superpower.  Even as the European Union stumbled, unable to present a climate pledge amid internal divisions, Beijing surged ahead. 

China now manufactures more than 80% of the world’s solar panels, 75% of EV batteries, and 60% of wind turbines. Clean technology accounted for 40 % of China’s GDP growth in 2023, and the sector now represents roughly 10 % of its entire economy — compared with just 3 % for oil and gas in Canada.  Last year, China invested $72 billion in green manufacturing overseas, about 40 % of all its foreign direct investment.

China is succeeding because it has aligned decarbonization with its economic growth strategy: it has set itself up so that cutting emissions means growing the economy—and vice versa.

This week, China went further, setting its first absolute emissions-reduction target: a 7–10 % cut by 2035. 

Some observers argue that isn’t ambitious enough, but many expect China to over-perform, just as it has before. 

The very fact that Beijing is now given the benefit of the doubt, while Washington must have its every utterance fact-checked, says everything about the shift underway.

This may well be remembered as the week the United States became isolated — and China, having aligned decarbonization with economic growth, assumed a mantle of leadership the West seems intent on abandoning.

Here are the other major climate stories from the week of September 22 to 28, 2025:

Consumer Sentiment

Recent surveys indicate that 80% to 90% of people worldwide support taking action on climate change, with most individuals willing to contribute up to 1% of their income to help address the issue.

• ‘I worry about the future of my daughter’: the ‘silent majority’ who care about the climate crisis – The Guardian – September 24

COP

It was a big week for the global effort to cut emissions. China announced its first absolute pledge to cut emissions – some criticized it as falling short of what’s needed, while others pointed to China’s history of underpromising and overdelivering. Donald Trump may have overplayed his hand – his lecture to the rest of the world about how they are ruining their countries with renewables and how they should be buying US oil and gas may prove to be the catalyst that unites countries in isolating the US. The “what about China” excuse may be over.

• At U.N. Climate Summit, U.S. Stands Alone – The New York Times – September 24
  
• China’s Xi announces new climate targets – Reuters – September 24
  
• China sets renewables goal it can easily surpass, analysts say – Reuters – September 25
  
• China’s plans to cut emission too weak to stave off global catastrophe, say experts – The Guardian – September 24
  
• China makes landmark pledge to cut its climate emissions – BBC – September 24
  
• China’s new climate target ‘falls well short,’ EU says – Reuters – September 25
  
• Opinion | China Is Promising a Lot More Clean Energy While America Is Lost – New York Times – September 26
  
• Leaders promised to cut climate pollution, then doubled down on fossil fuels – NPR – September 22
  
• UN climate leader urges action to match promises at Climate Week NYC – Reuters – September 22
  
• ‘’Don’t believe the doomsters’ on climate action, says UK’s Miliband – Reuters – September 23
  
• Vanuatu working toward UN vote aimed at fighting fossil fuel industry influence – The Guardian – September 24
  
• EU to delay anti-deforestation law by another year – Reuters – September 23
  
• How carbon budgets are key to the UK’s climate strategy –  Reuters – September 24

Canada Policy

Following last week’s news that Canada will likely miss its legally mandated emissions targets, criticism is mounting over the Carney government’s push to accelerate fossil fuel projects — on both climate and economic grounds. Alberta has now announced it will freeze carbon prices on large industrial emitters, defying the federal requirement to raise them annually. Unless Carney intervenes, it will mark yet another rollback of climate policy.

• Canada’s climate progress has flatlined – National Observer – September 19
  
• Canada, other fossil fuel-producing nations, derailing world climate targets, report says – CBC.ca – September 22
  
• Trans Mountain pipeline tolls could leave feds on the hook for billions in further costs – Hill Times – September 22
  
• Feds, BC are shifting LNG risks to public purse, report claims – National Observer – September 22
  
• A reality check on nation building – National Observer – September 16
  
• It’s time for Mark Carney to draw the line on climate policy – National Observer – September 23
  
• Shut out of meetings, environmental groups fight for Carney’s consideration – National Observer – September 22
  
• Catherine McKenna isn’t buying Carney’s carbon capture grand bargain – National Observer – September 23
  
• Alberta to maintain industrial carbon price freeze for 2026, leaving Ottawa to act – Canadian Press – September 17

US Policy

As the world watches, the US intensifies its efforts to dismantle renewable energy.

• Trump tells UN that climate change is ‘greatest con job’ globally – Reuters – September 23
  
• Trump Takes His ‘Green Energy Scam’ Talk to the UN – Inside Climate News – September 23
  
• US intends to cancel $13 billion in funds for green energy – Reuters – September 24
  
• DOE’s Wright calls offshore wind disruption a unique case – Axios – September 22

Oil and Gas Industry

You’d think oil and gas executives in the US would be quite pleased right now, but they’re not. US reserves are diminishing, forecasts suggest a prolonged oil and gas surplus, prices remain low, and extraction costs are rising. They’re laying off workers and holding back on investments. All signs point to an industry in decline.

• Oil and gas executives sour on their cheerleader-in-chief – Politico – September 24
  
• The US LNG industry risks becoming victim of its own success: Bousso – BOE Report – September 22
  
• U.S. Shale Costs to Soar to $95 per Barrel Within a Decade – Oil Price.com – September 26
  
• Iraq Boosts Oil Exports as OPEC+ Rolls Back Cuts – Oil Price.Com – September 22
  
• BP sees oil demand growth until 2030 due to slowing energy efficiency gains – Reuters – September 25
  
• No, the U.S. Doesn’t Need Fossil Fuels to Win ‘an AI Arms Race’ Against China – DeSmog – September 25

Renewable Energy

In contrast to fossil fuels, and despite Trump’s concerted efforts to stop it, renewable energy is attracting a lot of investment and growing rapidly.

• Global investment in renewable energy up 10% on 2024 despite Trump rollback – The Guardian – September 23
  
• New wind farms nearing completion will nudge N.S. closer to renewable energy goal – CBC.ca – September 22
  
• Judge Says Work on Revolution Wind Can Proceed, for Now – The New York Times – September 22

Nuclear

Canada is considering adding a nuclear power project in Ontario to its list of nation-building projects to fast-track.  Are we really comfortable relaxing regulations for nuclear plants?

• Canadian SMR project shortlisted for federal fast-track – World Nuclear News – September 18

Electric Vehicles

There’s promising progress on electric trucks—though not in Canada yet. While long-distance transport lags in cutting emissions, change may be coming.

• Electric Trucks Are Rapidly Approaching A Tipping Point — Just Not In The US – CleanTechnica – September 24
  
• Volvo quietly achieves major milestone that leaves Tesla in dust: ‘It’s rewarding to see’ – Yahoo News – September 21

Air Travel

Sigh –  the best near-term way to cut emissions from air travel is the use of sustainable aviation fuel.  An alternative is to jam more passengers into planes.  Guess which is happening?

• The secret to lowering airline emissions? Less leg room – Corporate Knights – September 22

Economic Impact

Recent studies show a growing awareness among investors and asset owners of climate change risks. The Government of Canada is now evaluating ways to protect its $110 billion in assets, while Barclays warns climate change could cut power and mining profits by up to 25% over the next five years.

• Billions in federal buildings, roads and other assets at risk from extreme weather – National Observer – September 19
  
• Nature loss threatens 25% profit hit for mining, power firms, Barclays finds – Reuters – September 25

Business Emissions

California is following Europe in moving ahead with the mandatory climate disclosures investors are asking for so they can assess the systemic risks companies face – Canada’s plans to implement these measures remain on “pause”.  IKEA continues to demonstrate climate leadership.

• California Releases List of More than 4,000 Companies Required to Begin Reporting Under New Climate Disclosure Laws – ESG Today – September 26
  
• The burden of proof has flipped: why is nature not material to your business? – Reuters – September 23
  
• IKEA Partners with BlackRock’s Vanguard Renewables to Turn Food Waste from Stores into Clean Fuel – ESG Today – September 22

Finance

Smart investors continue to put their money into the expanding electro-economy.

• La Caisse Acquires Australian Renewables Company Edify – ESG Today – September 22
  
• Exclusive: Bezos-backed renewables alliance targets $7.5 billion for developing countries – Reuters – September 22
  
• Eni Signs $1 Billion Power Purchase Deal in U.S. with Fusion Startup Commonwealth – ESG Today – September 22

Extreme Weather

In an unexpected finding, a new study shows atmospheric rivers are no longer following their traditional paths. They are shifting toward the poles, with implications for agriculture, droughts, and flooding.

• Earth’s ‘atmospheric rivers’ have shifted towards the poles, causing big local weather changes – Earth.com – September 22

Floods

Massive floods in Pakistan are causing billions of dollars in damage while straining food supplies, exports, and a fragile economic recovery.

• Pakistan floods batter fields, factories and fiscal plans – Reuters – September 23

Extreme Heat

Another study quantifies the rising death toll from extreme heat, finding nearly 63,000 people in Europe died from heat-related causes last year. In BC, people are urging the province to establish a maximum heat standard for buildings, similar to the existing minimum heat standards.

• Europe had over 62,700 heat-related deaths in 2024, report finds – Reuters – September 22
  
• Pressure mounts to protect BC renters from extreme heat – National Observer – September 19

Drought

Iran is emerging as a stark example of the catastrophic consequences of drought, as a new study forecasts when and where the world could run out of water within the next 15 years.

• ‘We must change’: how drought and overextraction of water has run Iran dry – The Guardian – September 21
  
• Running dry: New study warns of extreme water scarcity in the coming decades – PhysOrg.com – September 23

Disease

An estimated 4 – 7 million people die each year from pollution caused by fossil fuel use. A new mapping model pinpoints the world’s largest emitters and the populations most exposed to their smokestacks.

• Fossil fuel burning poses threat to health of 1.6bn people, data shows – The Guardian – September 24