Significance of China-U.S. climate cooperation in addressing global climate change

Editor's note: Zhao Xingshu is a research fellow at the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN. It has been translated from Chinese and edited for brevity and clarity.

The collaboration between China and the U.S., the world's top two economies and emitters, has always been seen as a key factor in ensuring consensus in United Nations climate negotiations. 

China and the U.S. were once "co-leaders" of the Paris Agreement, jointly promoting its signing and implementation.

In recent years, despite intensified competition between the two nations in areas such as trade and technology, China and the U.S. have maintained close communication and cooperation in the climate field.

Not long ago, they issued the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, outlining new arrangements for future climate cooperation.

China-U.S. climate cooperation holds paramount significance in addressing global climate change.

Firstly, its political significance lies in the fact that, despite being strategic competitors, the U.S. and China can set aside differences on climate issues, setting an example for other countries.

Tackling climate change is a long-term issue outweighing short-term disputes between nations; it is a moral issue that transcends national interest games.

Countries worldwide share common interests in climate issues. 

Even when facing challenges of increased economic pressure and tense geopolitical situations, climate change remains an area where all nations urgently need to, and can, reach a consensus.

Secondly, the UN's climate change conference, COP28, will conduct its first-ever global stocktake this year to assess countries' progress in fulfilling their commitments, identify emission reduction gaps and determine future reduction processes, making it particularly significant.

In light of this, all parties hope to grasp the future direction, exert pressure on opposing stances, and safeguard their own interests through this stocktake.

It is foreseeable that complex disputes and intense games will arise around numerous issues, making it more important for major powers to play a leading role.

This is precisely the substantive significance of China-U.S. climate cooperation. 

The consensus achieved by China and the U.S. on aspects such as renewable energy goals and methane emission reduction undoubtedly injects vital momentum into COP28, contributing to a global consensus on a new agreement.