fredag 12. november 2021

China’s shock climate deal with the U.S. sparks some cautious optimism

A joint declaration between the United States and China, in which the two superpowers said they would work together on a number of climate-related actions, has taken many by surprise. Announced Wednesday during the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, Scotland, the declaration covers a number of issues, from cutting carbon dioxide and methane emissions to tackling illegal deforestation. The countries said they will increase their efforts this decade to meet goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Those goals, the declaration reiterated, include holding the increase in global average temperature to “well below” 2 degrees C and to “pursue efforts” to limit it to 1.5 degrees C.

“The two sides are intent on seizing this critical moment to engage in expanded individual and combined efforts to accelerate the transition to a global net zero economy,” the declaration said.