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Before the highly anticipated climate summit, the United States and China have made a groundbreaking move by promising to form a working group to address the pressing issue of climate change. As the two largest polluters in the world, the Chinese and the Americans are setting aside their differences in order to tackle the climate crisis that threatens our planet.
The meeting between Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, and Xi Jinping, the President of China, took place on the outskirts of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia. This gesture of solidarity and cooperation signifies a major step forward in the fight against climate change.
The United States and China have now officially agreed to revive a climate cooperation working group and have pledged significant increases in renewable energy production. Both governments confirmed this news just before a scheduled meeting between their respective heads of state in San Francisco. By putting aside their differences, these two global superpowers are demonstrating their commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
Cooperation on climate change has been seen as a positive aspect in an otherwise tense relationship between the United States and China. The tensions between the two countries have been evident in various areas, including trade, technology, human rights, and geopolitics. However, the urgency of the climate crisis has compelled them to prioritize collaboration in this critical area.
Separate statements were released by the U.S. Department of State and China’s Ministry of Ecology and the Environment after meetings between U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua. These meetings took place in California earlier this month and were followed by further discussions in Beijing. The statements outlined the agreement to “operationalize” a previously stalled bilateral working group, engaging in dialogue and cooperation to take concrete climate actions in the current decade. This proposal was first put forward by Kerry and Xi at the 2021 United Nations climate summit in Glasgow but had been on hold since August of the previous year.
China has made a significant commitment to reducing emissions and addressing the climate crisis by following its own path. The declaration also promises a substantial increase in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, as well as battery storage, to manage the massive energy sectors of both countries. This move aims to replace fossil fuels, such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas, which contribute to global warming.
China and the United States have agreed to accelerate the installation of renewable energy in their respective economies by the end of 2030, with the goal of substituting coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Both nations are committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 and significantly reducing emissions from their energy sectors within this decade.
Furthermore, both countries have committed to reducing their use of all greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), by 2035. This commitment aligns with their international climate goals and aims to limit global warming to a threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientists warn that beyond this threshold, it will become increasingly challenging for humans and other organisms to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as heatwaves and droughts.
This agreement is notable because it marks the first time that China has publicly stated its intention to limit greenhouse gas emissions beyond carbon dioxide. According to a Chinese academic based in Beijing, this commitment reflects the current political climate and the practical efforts made by both sides to find areas of agreement that can lead to progress.
While China’s commitment to reduce emissions “before 2030” is significant, the exact date of this reduction has not been disclosed. Nevertheless, there are promising signs that China’s rapid adoption of wind and solar power is already beginning to replace older, more polluting sources of energy. Experts predict that China’s emissions will start declining next year, signaling a positive shift towards more sustainable practices.
Despite China’s focus on renewable energy, there hasn’t been a clear statement on whether the country plans to phase out the use of coal, which is the most polluting fossil fuel. However, China’s commitment to increasing renewable energy sources suggests that a phase-out of coal may be on the horizon.
The timing of this announcement is crucial, as it comes just three weeks before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. The success and pace of the conference will largely depend on the degree of cooperation between the world’s two largest emitters. This declaration serves as an opportune effort to align the United States and China before COP28, as their participation is seen as a prerequisite for significant global progress.
However, it is important to note that the agreement between the United States and China only lays the groundwork for future climate agreements, and the definitive tone will be set at COP28. The negotiations between the two countries will undoubtedly help stabilize the political landscape at the conference, but critical issues such as the phase-out of fossil fuels will require significant political effort.
China should also keep in mind that other countries may bring forth additional ambitions during COP28. A potential next step could be halting the approval of new energy projects, according to experts. This would further demonstrate China’s commitment to transitioning to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
In conclusion, the United States and China’s agreement to form a working group and increase renewable energy production showcases a significant step towards addressing the climate crisis. This cooperation represents a rare moment of collaboration in an increasingly tense relationship between the two countries. The commitment to reduce emissions and limit the use of greenhouse gases sets an example for other nations and highlights the urgency of global climate action. As the world looks towards COP28, the United States and China’s collaboration will play a pivotal role in shaping the tone and pace of the conference.
