In a significant turn of events, US and China have reignited their commitment to address the pressing climate crisis, focusing on mitigating methane and plastic pollution. The rekindled cooperation comes just in time for the upcoming COP28 UN climate summit in Dubai, following a pivotal meeting between US climate envoy John Kerry and Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua at the Sunnylands resort in California earlier this month.
A Pledge for Progress: Joint Commitments and Initiatives
After a pause driven by political differences, the world’s largest polluters have pledged to establish a bilateral working group on climate action, demonstrating their dedication to ensuring the success of COP28. In a collective announcement issued on Wednesday, both countries recognized the intensifying repercussions of the climate crisis on nations globally, underscoring their mutual obligation to address this worldwide challenge, aiming to secure a positive outcome for current and forthcoming generations.
The United States and China voiced their support for a G20 leaders‘ declaration to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Additionally, they committed to accelerating the transition away from coal, oil, and gas generation. While the joint statement anticipates “meaningful” emission reductions in the power sector this decade, it stops short of explicitly calling for the phasing out of fossil fuels—a goal previously deemed “unrealistic” by China.
Milestone Pledges: Methane in Focus and Carbon Capture Initiatives
A notable aspect of the renewed collaboration is the inclusion of methane in both countries’ 2035 climate goals, marking a significant pledge by China, which had not made such a commitment before. The nations also committed to advancing “at least five” large-scale cooperation projects in carbon capture, utilization, and storage by the end of the decade.
US and China: Rebuilding Cooperation Post-2022 Hiatus
The hiatus in cooperation US and China, initiated in 2022 following former House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, a self-governing island contested by China, has now been overcome. Li Shuo, incoming director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society, highlighted the pivotal role of the relationship between the two largest greenhouse gas emitters, stating that it is a prerequisite for meaningful global progress. The agreement is seen as a stabilizing factor in the lead-up to the crucial Dubai talks.
As 2023 is projected to become the warmest year in human history, the urgency for world leaders to address planet-heating greenhouse gas pollution has never been greater. Methane, the second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide, possesses a higher warming effect in the short term, underscoring the significance of the commitment made by the US and China.
EU Takes a Stand: Ambitious Measures and Global Implications
Simultaneously, the European Union has intensified efforts to exert pressure on international suppliers ahead of the upcoming summit. Negotiators from EU member states and the European Parliament recently reached an agreement on a new law imposing “maximum methane intensity values” to limit emissions from the bloc’s oil and gas imports starting in 2030. Jutta Paulus, the EU Parliament’s co-lead negotiator, emphasized the global impact of these ambitious measures, with key gas suppliers like the US and Russia likely to be significantly affected once the law receives final approval.
The new law mandates oil and gas producers in the EU to regularly monitor and rectify leaks of the potent greenhouse gas in their operations. Furthermore, it prohibits most instances of flaring and venting, practices where companies intentionally burn off or release unwanted methane into the atmosphere, effective from 2025 or 2027 depending on the type of infrastructure.
In Conclusion: A Ray of Hope for a Sustainable Future
In conclusion, the revitalized collaboration between the US and China, coupled with the EU’s proactive measures, signifies a renewed global commitment to addressing the climate crisis. As leaders prepare for the COP28 UN climate summit in Dubai, these developments provide a ray of hope in the collective effort to combat environmental challenges and steer the world towards a sustainable future.
