Today’s US-China announcement on climate change is a potential game-changer for Paris next year, The Climate Group said today.
President Obama and President Xi Jinpin in Beijing today pledged that China would cap its emissions for the first time and that the US would committed to deepen reductions by 2025.
Changhua Wu, Greater China director of The Climate Group, said: “Today’s announcement that China’s emissions would peak by 2030 at the latest is an unprecedented recognition of China’s responsibilities on the world stage when it comes to climate change. It’s the first time that China – or any emerging economy – has committed to an emissions target.
“The US-China joint approach could help bridge the ‘developed versus developing’ countries divide that has long weakened the international climate negotiation process. This could be a game-changer that significantly boosts the chances of reaching a global climate deal in Paris next year.
“China was known to be the biggest carbon emitter. Today could mark the beginning of a genuine transition for China to a low carbon development and deep emissions reductions, proving to the rest of the world that investing in clean energy need not stem economic development.”
The UK has also called for a global energy deal. alongside several industry bodies.
Evan Juska, head of US Policy at The Climate Group, said: “Barack Obama’s commitment to reduce emissions by 26-28% by 2015, compared to 2005 levels, although it falls short of what the science requires, shows that the US hasn’t given up on its ambition to be a global climate leader.
“The new target, which means that the US will double the pace of its emission reductions, sends a strong signal to the markets that the US is ready for the transition to a low carbon future.”
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