Kerry resumes US-China climate talks – 7/17/2023 – Environment

The US climate emissary, John Kerry, and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, met this Monday (17th) in Beijing, resuming dialogue between the two countries that most pollute the planet.

Kerry and Xie had a four-hour encounter, Chinese public television CCTV reported.

After the meeting, the Chinese government stated that “climate change is a common challenge faced by all mankind”.

According to the spokeswoman for the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mao Ning, China will “exchange views” with the United States on issues related to climate change. She also stated that both will “work together to address challenges and improve the well-being of current and future generations”.

Dialogue on the subject was interrupted by China almost a year ago. The gesture was a protest against the visit to Taiwan of Representative Nancy Pelosi, then Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

On the eve of the resumption of dialogue, the United States sent a firm message.

US Presidential National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN that John Kerry would ask China “not to hide behind the claim that it is a developing country” to lessen its commitment to climate change.

“All countries, including China, have a responsibility to reduce emissions,” Sullivan said. “And the world, I believe, should step up and encourage — indeed, pressure — China to take more drastic measures to reduce emissions,” she added.

The adviser also stated that the Asian country “has more work to do on this front” and that Kerry would insist on that in Beijing, where he will stay until Wednesday (19).

John Kerry’s trip comes on the heels of two other high-level visits by US officials aimed at stabilizing US-China relations: Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

Kerry’s third visit to China since his appointment in 2021 comes as significant heat waves hit many regions of the world and draw attention to the impact of climate change. For weeks, Beijing has recorded temperatures close to 40°C.

The White House has identified climate as an area of ​​possible cooperation with Beijing, despite existing tensions on other issues. For this, he chose Kerry, as the former Secretary of State maintains a very cordial and uninterrupted relationship with China.

common interest

“Kerry’s visit and the resumption of climate talks underscore the crucial importance of coordinating efforts to address the climate crisis,” Chunping Xie, a researcher at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and Environment, told AFP news agency.

“It also demonstrates their shared determination to navigate a complex geopolitical relationship to promote the common good.”

China is the world’s largest annual emitter of greenhouse gases, while the United States is the largest historical emitter of the gases responsible for climate change.

The Asian country — which is the second largest economy in the world, but participates in climate negotiations along with developing countries — has promised to reach its peak of CO2 emissions._two in 2030 and, subsequently, reach carbon neutrality in 2060.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said his country will reduce its use of coal starting in 2026.

“In terms of concrete results, one thing I hope will move forward is the methane action plan,” Lauri Myllyvirta, principal analyst at the Center for Clean Air and Energy Research, told AFP.

Methane is one of the most important gases for increasing the temperature of the planet. He was the main subject of the agreement in the joint declaration of the two countries after the climate negotiations held in Glasgow, in 2021.