The relationship between the United States and China has been strained over various issues, but the two largest economies in the world have recently come together to address climate change.
On Wednesday, these superpowers jointly announced that they have agreed to a deal aimed at rapidly increasing the share of energy from renewable sources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming.
Highlights of the Agreement
The key new components are:
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Commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
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Reduction of power sector emissions by the end of the decade.
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Reducing future emissions of methane.
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Halting deforestation by 2030.
Significance and Timing
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This announcement comes amid increasing concerns by scientists about rising global temperatures and its impact, including more extreme heat waves, wildfires, and storms.
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October marked the fifth consecutive month of record-high global average temperatures.
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According to the U.S. National Climate Assessment, climate change is affecting every region of the country and poses growing health and economic costs.
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The upcoming U.N. climate negotiations, COP28, will begin on Nov. 30 in Dubai, where the agreement is expected to include the tripling of renewable energy goals, an initiative supported by more than 60 countries, including the U.S., and the G20 since September.
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Implications for Climate Change
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Many experts view the recent agreement between the U.S. and China as a positive development.
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“It’s very promising to see the U.S. and China diplomatically engaging on climate change again, after the broader challenges in the relationship sort of brought that to a halt,” said Pete Ogden, vice president for climate and environment at the United Nations Foundation.
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Regarding the emissions reductions’ actual effects, experts point out that it’s uncertain, but any decline in China’s power sector emissions could have significant environmental benefits.
