The United States and China have agreed on the need to make stronger commitments against climate change.
These will have to be introduced before a new round of international negotiations at COP26 scheduled for early November 2021 in Glasgow.
A promising climate agreement
The climate agreement between the United States and China follows discussions between representatives of the two countries.
Xie Zhuenhua and John Kerry met in Shanghai on Thursday and Friday, April 15 and 16.
The message of the cooperation agreement is clear and binding: reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Actions will be taken, including energy storage, carbon capture andhydrogen development.
They will also fund developing countries to develop energy sources that emit less carbon.
The first visit to China by a member of the Biden administration
John Kerry’s visit marks the first by a Biden administration official to China since his inauguration.
While my two countries have many points of difference, when it comes to climate, the two superpowers seem to be on the same wavelength.
Compliance with the Paris Agreement
According to the statement, the two states will continue to discuss concrete actions to meet the commitments made when the Paris Agreement was signed.
Brought forward following the COP 21 debates, the international agreement aims to contain the rise in average temperatures to below 2°C by the end of the century.
Breaking with Donald Trump’s climate policy
The resumption of climate talks marks a turning point for the United States since the end of Donald Trump’s term in office.
Indeed, he had withdrawn from the Paris Agreement at the start of his term, considering that it threatened American businesses.
The resumption of talks between the world’s two biggest carbon emitters is now back on track.
Active participation in the fight against climate change
This week, Joe Biden will be holding a virtual summit on climate change with twelve heads of state, open to the public.
In so doing, he hopes to win back the trust of America’s allies in the fight against global warming, which was badly shaken during the previous term.
Following the meeting, China announced that it would soon respond to the United States’ commitments.
The next international summit on global warming, COP 26, will be held in Glasgow from November 1 to 12, 2021.
