The United States and China announced this Wednesday (10) a cooperation agreement between the two countries to mitigate climate change, but without presenting targets for these efforts. The pact was confirmed by representatives of the two governments in separate press conferences, during the 26th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26), which runs until Friday (12) in Glasgow, UK.
“There is more understanding between the US and China than disagreement, which represents an area of enormous potential for cooperation,” Chinese dictatorship envoy Xie Zhenhua said, according to CNN. “Cooperation is the only choice for China and the United States. Working together, our two countries can achieve many important things that will benefit not just our countries, but the world as a whole.”
However, Xie has not committed to a US- and EU-led agreement to reduce methane emissions, nor to any other major international agreement, claiming the country plans “differentiated” responsibilities and will create a national methane plan.
At a press conference shortly thereafter, US special envoy to COP26, John Kerry, said he was “satisfied” with the agreement with the Chinese. “We believe the steps we are taking can answer questions about the pace at which China is moving and help China, the US and others accelerate their efforts,” said Kerry, who added that President Joe Biden and the Chinese dictator Xi Jinping will soon hold a virtual summit on the matter.
In his interview, Xie had reported that the world’s two largest economies plan to create a working group on climate action this decade.
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