Glasgow, 12 November 2021 (TDI): China and the US have released a joint declaration to tackle climate change. The joint declaration happened on the sidelines of ongoing COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. The COP26 is the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The two countries declared that they will set up a joint working group and reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The declaration portrays China-US cooperation in the context of necessary global climate actions.
China-US Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action
The China-US Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s was released on Wednesday. Both China and US pledged to collaborate for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The declaration aims to ensure collaboration to enhance climate action and address the climate crisis. Respective capabilities, common but differentiated responsibilities, and national situations will be taken into account.
Working Group to Enhance Climate Action
The two will establish a working group to enhance climate action in the 2020s. It will institutionalize the cooperation mechanism. The working group will endeavor to increase collaboration on climate change; bilaterally as well as multilaterally. China and US will adhere to the principles of the Paris Agreement to maintain temperatures under two degrees. The aim is to restrict it to 1.5 degrees.
Reduction of Emissions
For the reduction of emissions, both partners will implement measures to boost methane emission control; at the sub-national and national levels. China aims to form a comprehensive and effective national action plan on methane, with the intent to attain notable methane emissions reduction and control in the 2020s.
Distributed Generation Policies
China and US will cooperate through distributed generation policies to reduce CO2 emissions. The policies will lead to the integration of clean power solutions like solar energy. Subsequently, China will endeavor to phase down coal consumption throughout the 15th Five Year Plan（2026-30.
China-US Cooperation is the only Right Choice
China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Xie Zhenhua on the release of the declaration said that China-US cooperation is the only right choice and way forward. Both will collaborate for mutual benefit to tackle climate change. The duo should follow the trend of the world. Xie Zhenhua expressed that he wishes that the declaration will contribute to the success of the COP26.
Joint Declaration: An Important Step
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement between China and US by saying that it was an important step in the right direction. He tweeted that to tackle climate change, international cooperation and unity are mandatory.
US and China are considered the two largest contributors to emissions. Chinese experts lauded the move and consider it vital to help the world battle climate change. The two partners will also step up efforts to boost financial support for developing countries.
China Proactively Working to Tackle Climate Change
A senior adviser of the Chinese delegation to COP26, Xu Huaqing stated that China is actively participating to lead global climate governance. China is efficiently working to address the adverse effects of climate change. It is also helping other countries to transition to green energy.
