China has announced it will not host the Cop33 United Nations climate conference scheduled for 2028, according to reporting from the Guardian. The decision concludes months of consideration and opens the hosting opportunity to other Asian nations eligible under UN climate framework rules.
The Chinese government’s choice has generated disappointment among climate advocates and international observers who viewed China’s potential hosting as symbolically important. Former US Vice President Al Gore expressed regret at the outcome, noting he would have supported China as host. Climate analysts and policymakers suggested that China’s position as the world’s largest emitter and a leading developer of clean energy technologies would have made it a significant venue for global climate negotiations.
China has undergone substantial shifts in its energy infrastructure in recent years. Renewable energy generation capacity now exceeds coal-based power generation, electric vehicle sales comprise nearly two-thirds of the automotive market, and clean energy industries accounted for over 90 percent of investment growth in the previous year. Greenhouse gas emissions have shown signs of declining recently.
Experts have speculated about reasons for China’s refusal without confirmation from official sources. Several analysts noted that timing surrounding the US presidential election on November 7, 2028—just before the scheduled Cop33 dates of November 6-17—may have influenced the decision. The current US administration has rejected climate science internationally and withdrawn from relevant treaties, with this stance expected to continue through January 2029.
Other potential host countries under consideration include Uzbekistan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand. India’s government similarly decided against hosting after months of deliberation earlier in the year. A decision on the host nation is not expected to be finalized at the ongoing Cop31 meeting currently taking place in Turkey.
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