SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

France seeks to create a China-EU duo to offset US withdrawal

France proposes a stronger alliance between the European Union and China to counter the absence of the United States in the fight against climate change, with a summit scheduled for July 2025.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

French Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, expressed her desire to develop stronger cooperation between China and the European Union (EU) in the fight against climate change. Speaking at the ChangeNow conference in Paris on April 24, she emphasized the need for a joint declaration between the two entities in response to the United States’ withdrawal from the diplomatic stage on climate issues. “I carry the ambition that we could have a joint EU-China declaration because I believe that both the EU and China today have real ambitions on climate,” she stated.

This initiative comes in a particular context where China and the EU are called upon to compensate for Washington’s absence on the climate front. On April 23, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed that China will continue its efforts to combat global warming, despite the United States’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump’s leadership.

A common front before COP30

The French minister also referenced the joint declaration signed by the United States and China at the Sunnyland summit in November 2023. This document laid the groundwork for an important agreement ahead of COP28 in Dubai, on the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels. Agnès Pannier-Runacher hopes that a similar approach can be adopted by the EU and China, to maintain multilateral pressure for concrete climate action. A China-EU summit on climate issues is scheduled for July 2025.

European divisions on climate goals

However, France may face divisions within the EU. The 27 member states struggle to agree on greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2035, with some countries, such as Italy, pushing for less ambitious cuts than those proposed by the European Commission, which aims for a 90% reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. France has yet to reveal its position on this issue.

In this context, France’s challenge is to align the different wills of the member states while strengthening cooperation with China, within a broader framework of combating climate change.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
EIB grants €200mn to Dolomiti Energia for wind projects and grid upgrades in Italy
EDF power solutions and El Paso Electric launch 150 MW solar facility in New Mexico
Kyoto Group commissions world’s largest industrial thermal storage unit in Hungary
Clariant targeted by BP and ExxonMobil in ethylene case
Eni invests in the industrial conversion of its petrochemical site in Priolo
French electricity pricing reform raises concerns over increased consumer exposure
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
United States: Senate confirms two nominees, shifting FERC to Republican majority
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
Ottawa allocates CAD3mn to support Indigenous-led critical mineral infrastructure projects
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Africa aims for local transformation to gain weight in the global energy economy
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
Global renewable capacity set to double by 2030, led by solar power
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria commits $60 billion to strengthen its energy strategy by 2029
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China’s clean tech exports reach $20bn in August
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
Ukrainian strike cuts power to 5,400 homes in Belgorod region
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
French Academy of Sciences warns of economic risks linked to solar geoengineering
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
Federal shutdown threatens permit delays and energy projects in the United States
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
US energy agencies prepare to suspend operations amid budget deadlock
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
EMBER: Chile could save $15mn annually by reducing renewable energy losses
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Denmark increases energy security after unidentified drone flyovers
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
France: Lecornu rules out a freeze on solar and wind power
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait adds 14 GW of power capacity by 2031 to avoid shortages
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
Ignite Power joins the $270 million Pro Energia+ programme in Mozambique
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
Brussels imposes a new fee system for monitoring energy markets
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.
EDF faces €460bn investment programme as Court of Auditors warns the state
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.
Washington to return $13bn in unobligated energy transition funds
The U.S. Department of Energy will return more than $13bn in unspent funds originally allocated to climate initiatives, in line with the Trump administration’s new budget policy.
Trump threatens IEA with withdrawal if anti-oil stance is not revised
Under pressure from Washington, the International Energy Agency reintroduces a pro-fossil scenario in its report, marking a shift in its direction amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.