John Kerry says China now leads on green energy: ‘The rest of the world is stumbling along’

Former Secretary of State John Kerry warned in an interview published Tuesday the rest of the world is falling behind China when it comes to clean energy technology, arguing the country has emerged as the clear leader in a rapidly growing market.

“The only country that has hugely accelerated is China. The rest of the world is stumbling along while Mother Nature is sending us more powerful signals every week, every day,” Kerry, who worked under the second Obama administration, told The Guardian .

The warning comes as world leaders gather in Turkey for the COP31 United Nations Climate Summit, during which China’s growing influence over the clean energy industry has raised questions about whether it will assume a larger role in international climate negotiations.

China, the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, has also become the leading producer of clean energy technology. Its clean-tech exports exceeded $220 billion in 2025, and the country accounts for roughly 85 percent of global solar supply chain production as well as 80 percent of lithium-ion battery production capacity, according to the International Energy Agency.

Kerry, who also served as former President Biden’s special envoy for climate, argued finances — and not just environmental concerns — are pushing countries to find ways to transition away from fossil fuels.

“They’ll see where the market is going, and they will recognize where the cheaper alternatives are. Even they can read a spreadsheet and understand where costs are exorbitant and where you have a better deal,” Kerry said, referring to countries considering investments in clean energy.

“Right now, renewables together with storage, together with some transitional gas, is cheaper and more effective, than just going with fossil fuels.”

He also pointed to the ongoing war in Iran and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz as reasons countries are seeking to reduce their dependence on fuel imports.

“[China] reali z ed suddenly they had way too much dependency on oil and gas from other places, and they decided they needed to be independent,” Kerry said. “Other countries, since the war in Iran, and since the S trait of Hormuz has been interrupted, have made a similar decision, and they’re moving independently.”