As COP30 opened on Monday, the world’s attention turned to the critical question of how major economies are driving the global energy transition. André Corrêa do Lago, President of COP30, underscored the pivotal roles of China and India, highlighting how their commitment to clean energy and technological innovation is helping shape a more sustainable future while also lowering the cost of transition for developing countries around the world. Lago’s remarks came amid growing concern that some of the world’s wealthier nations have lost momentum in addressing the climate crisis, raising questions about who will lead the push for sustainable energy solutions globally.

Speaking at a press conference on the first day of COP30, Lago described China’s role in the energy transition as “extraordinary,” noting that the country had brought three key elements to global efforts that were previously missing: scale, technology, and affordability. According to Lago, China’s ability to deploy clean energy solutions at a massive scale has not only transformed its domestic energy landscape but has also created opportunities for other countries to adopt sustainable technologies more readily. “One of the most important contributions of China is its ability to make energy solutions affordable for the wider developing world,” Lago said. “For example, the cost of solar panels today is almost 90 percent lower than it was just a few years ago. This means that countries with limited resources can now implement clean energy solutions that were previously out of reach.”

Lago elaborated that China’s approach to the energy transition is not limited to scaling production but also extends to international cooperation. By producing renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles at a large scale, China has indirectly enabled other developing nations to accelerate their own transitions to clean energy without incurring prohibitive costs. “By lowering the price of these essential elements of the energy transition, China is not only improving access for its own population but is also enabling international cooperation in a very tangible way,” he explained. “Countries that previously lacked the financial resources or technical capacity to adopt renewable energy can now do so, thanks to China’s technological scale and commitment to innovation.”

While acknowledging China’s leadership, Lago emphasized that India is following a parallel path. “India, too, is making remarkable strides. The country has brilliant companies, highly skilled engineers, and an incredible pool of talent that is actively engaged in advancing renewable energy and sustainable technologies,” he said. India’s efforts, according to Lago, mirror China’s in terms of creating market conditions that reduce the cost of clean energy globally. By embracing the energy transition clearly and decisively, both countries are poised to become the two major markets that will shape the affordability and accessibility of sustainable energy worldwide.

The COP30 President also contrasted the proactive approaches of China and India with the apparent slowdown in enthusiasm among wealthier nations. “Earlier, countries with more resources were expected to lead the global energy transition, but many of them have lost momentum. Meanwhile, China and India are surging ahead, taking concrete steps to implement clean energy technologies and expand their markets for renewables,” Lago noted. This observation highlights a shifting dynamic in the global climate arena, where emerging economies are increasingly taking the lead in practical climate solutions, both domestically and internationally.

Experts have pointed out that China, as the largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, is strategically positioning itself to fill the void left by the United States and other developed nations that have slowed down their climate ambitions. According to Pooja Vijay Ramamurthi, fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, China’s approach is driven not only by environmental considerations but also by strong economic interests. “Earlier this year, at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate and Just Transitions held in April 2025, President Xi Jinping emphasized China’s commitment to global climate goals. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the free circulation of high-quality green products while cautioning against protectionist measures that could hinder global progress,” she explained. Observers believe that China is likely to use COP30 to reaffirm its leadership role and advocate for continued multilateral cooperation on energy and climate issues.

Lago’s remarks underline a broader trend in which China’s domestic industrial policies are creating global spillover effects. By scaling up production of renewable energy components and technologies, China is driving down costs and enabling other nations to pursue energy transitions more rapidly. This has significant implications for developing countries, which often face barriers to adopting clean energy due to cost and infrastructure limitations. Affordable solar panels, batteries, and wind energy technologies can now be deployed more widely, facilitating a more inclusive approach to the global energy transition. Lago emphasized that India is playing a similarly transformative role, contributing to the development of renewable technologies and creating a competitive domestic market for clean energy solutions. “India and China together are not just national markets; they are shaping the global markets for energy transition. Their actions will make clean energy more accessible and affordable worldwide,” he said.

The COP30 President also stressed that the impact of these two countries extends beyond economic calculations. By demonstrating that large-scale renewable energy adoption is feasible and economically viable, China and India are setting a precedent for other nations. “The reduction in costs enabled by their scale and technological capabilities allows countries with fewer resources to implement effective clean energy policies, without waiting for financial support from wealthier nations,” Lago noted. This development challenges the traditional paradigm where developed nations were expected to lead the way in climate action, signaling a more multipolar and collaborative approach to global energy transition.

Furthermore, Lago highlighted that the success of China and India in renewable energy could catalyze innovation and investment in other regions. By creating a competitive market for clean energy technologies, these countries are incentivizing global players to invest in research and development, further driving down costs and improving efficiency. “The benefits of the energy transition are amplified when multiple major markets adopt clean energy technologies aggressively. Both China and India are creating conditions for a virtuous cycle of innovation, adoption, and affordability,” he explained.

The COP30 opening session also raised questions about the role of developed nations in the global climate agenda. Lago’s comments reflect a growing consensus among international observers that while developed countries once dominated climate leadership, emerging economies are now assuming more central roles due to their market size, technological capabilities, and political will. China’s push for renewable energy and India’s parallel initiatives represent a shift toward a more decentralized and collaborative model of climate action, where multiple countries contribute to global solutions in meaningful ways.

As COP30 continues, expectations are high that discussions will focus on leveraging the momentum generated by China and India. Analysts note that multilateral negotiations and cooperative frameworks will be essential for ensuring that the benefits of the energy transition are shared equitably, particularly with developing countries that stand to gain the most from affordable clean energy solutions. By driving down costs and demonstrating practical feasibility, these two nations are not only advancing their domestic climate agendas but are also influencing global energy policies and investment strategies.

In conclusion, the opening day of COP30 has underscored the transformative potential of China and India in shaping the global energy transition. With their commitment to scaling renewable energy, leveraging advanced technologies, and fostering affordability, both countries are setting new benchmarks for international cooperation and climate action. As Lago emphasized, the combined impact of these two major economies is likely to lower the cost of the energy transition globally, making it accessible to millions more people, particularly in developing nations. Their leadership demonstrates that practical action, market-scale deployment, and technological innovation can together drive meaningful progress toward a sustainable and low-carbon future.

The conference now looks to explore how other nations can emulate or collaborate with the approaches of China and India, while also examining the role of international financial mechanisms, policy frameworks, and cooperative strategies to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy worldwide. The message from COP30’s opening session is clear: the energy transition is not just a technological challenge but also a geopolitical and economic opportunity, and China and India are at the forefront of this transformative global movement.