Beijing – After a talks in Sunnylands, California, a joint statement by China and the US was released on November 14, available in English and in Mandarin Chinese, outlining commitments to climate action.

Greenpeace East Asia Beijing-based Chief China Representative YUAN Ying (she/her) said: 

“There are some encouraging elements in this statement. It includes support for tripling global renewable energy by 2030 including the importance of sufficiently advancing renewable energy to substitute for coal, oil, and gas; mentions that 2035 NDCs will be economy-wide, encompass all greenhouse gases, and align with the Paris Agreement warming limit; and an emphasis on importance of a clear signal from the global stocktake on renewable energy and fossil fuels. 

“The commitment to work together on a consensus Global Stocktake decision stands out. In particular, the section on the global stocktake includes the need for a clear signal on renewable energy and fossil fuels. The global stocktake will of course show that there is still much work to do to get on track with 1.5 degrees Celsius. The global stocktake is the first order of business at COP28. It will set the tone for how fossil fuels come into focus over the negotiations. A clear signal on fossil fuels at this early stage would be a strong start. 

“This statement is a gesture towards progress in G2 climate action but we are certainly not yet in the clear. For now, these are still words, and not yet actions. It is imperative that the US and China work together to respond to climate change. There remains a major gap between these words and action for both. Both sides for now remain committed to further fossil fuels expansions. The world needs to see clear action from the world’s two largest greenhouse gas emitters to align with science. The global stocktake arrives a decade on from the productive cooperation between China and the US in Paris. Walking the talk on Paris-aligned energy transitions will require serious action from these two major greenhouse gas emitters.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

August Rick, Greenpeace East Asia, Beijing, ([email protected]), +86 175 1040 4599