Before the climate summit, the United States and China have made a significant commitment towards addressing the climate crisis. The world’s two largest polluters, China and the US, have recognized the urgent need to put aside their differences and work together to tackle the pressing issue of climate change.
Joe Biden, the vice president of the United States, and Xi Jinping, the president of China, recently met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. During their meeting, they agreed to revive a climate cooperation working group and pledged to increase renewable energy production.
The news of this collaboration was confirmed by both the U.S. Department of State and China’s Ministry of Ecology and the Environment. The agreement comes after meetings between U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, which took place both in California and Beijing. These conversations have been instrumental in laying the groundwork for future cooperation between the two countries.
The primary goal of this renewed working group is to “engage in dialogue and cooperation to implement concrete climate actions” this decade. This is a significant step forward as it demonstrates the commitment of both nations to take meaningful action in combating climate change. The working group was originally proposed by Kerry and Xi at the 2021 United Nations climate summit in Glasgow and has been on hold since August of last year.
China has pledged to reduce its emissions and has also committed to increasing the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. It recognizes the need to transition away from fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which contribute to global warming. Both China and the United States have agreed to accelerate the installation of renewable energy in their economies by 2030, with the aim of significantly reducing emissions from their energy sectors in the next decade.
The agreement also includes a commitment from both countries to reduce their use of all greenhouse gases by 2035, including carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrofluorocarbons. The ultimate goal is to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a threshold beyond which scientists warn of severe impacts on human and ecosystem health.
China’s decision to limit greenhouse gas emissions beyond carbon dioxide is particularly noteworthy. It shows a willingness to address all forms of greenhouse gas emissions, according to a Chinese academic based in Beijing. This is a positive step towards achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and demonstrates China’s growing role as a global climate leader.
While China has made commitments to increase its use of renewable energy sources, there is still uncertainty regarding its plans to phase out coal, the most polluting form of fossil fuel. It is crucial for China to consider the impacts of coal on the environment and human health and take steps towards transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives.
The timing of this announcement is also significant, as it comes just weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. The cooperation between the United States and China will likely set the tone for the conference and influence the level of commitment from other countries.
However, it is important to note that a climate agreement between the United States and China is only the first step. Concrete actions, such as the phase-out of fossil fuels, will require significant political efforts. Other ambitions, such as stopping the approval of new energy projects, also need to be considered.
As the two countries come together at COP28, their negotiations will help stabilize the global political situation regarding climate change. However, there is still much work to be done, and other countries will play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the conference. COP28 will be a crucial event for determining the world’s progress in tackling climate change and ensuring a sustainable future for all.
