Climate experts are optimistic about China achieving carbon neutrality by 2060 and peak its emissions by 2030, a target that Chinese president Xi Jinping said will take an extraordinary effort to attain. Xi reaffirmed the vision while addressing the Leaders Summit on Climate via a video link from Beijing on Thursday.

Li Lin, director of Global Policy and Advocacy at World Wildlife Fund International, said the goal announced by China, with a shorter period than the time spent by developed countries, will be reached and possibly even ahead of time.

"It's very encouraging to see across all sectors in the government, across all players, that we are all working towards this target," added Li.

Chen Ying, a researcher at Center for Urban Development and Environment at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, echoing similar views, said, the reiteration of the plan and the approach shows China's confidence and determination that once it's made its commitments, it'll deliver it through concrete actions.

Xi's speech during the online meeting came against the backdrop of a slowdown in global climate governance amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, Chen believes the virtual gathering this time around means a lot for multilateral progress to control the rising temperatures. 

China has pledged to "strictly control" coal-fired power projects during its current five-year plan. Plans are afoot to decrease consumption over the 2026-2030 period. Beijing has also urged global efforts to deliver social equity and justice while making the green transition.

Read more:World leaders pledge to tackle climate change at summit

Chen said a six-pronged proposal made by Xi includes a "China Solution" to global humanitarian crises such as climate change. These proposals focus on maintaining harmony between humans and nature, green development, systemic governance, a people-centered approach, multilateralism, and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

Li said among all the heads of state, President Xi spoke about nature the most, which, according to her, is because China sees the climate crisis and nature crisis as intertwined.

"Without a healthy, resilient ecosystem supporting us, we are not actually able to tackle climate change," added Li.

To achieve global carbon neutrality, Xi said the world must remain consistent and not reverse course. If the world unites around the climate crisis, experts say there's a fighting chance the world can develop along equitable and sustainable lines.