State media reported on Tuesday that US climate envoy John Podesta is set to visit China this week for discussions with counterpart Liu Zhenmin. This visit comes ahead of the COP29 summit in Baku scheduled for November.
During the meeting, the two officials will engage in extensive discussions on practical collaboration, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
Topics on the agenda include each country’s domestic climate policies, as well as the broader multilateral efforts on climate change, as reported by CCTV.
The meeting between Liu and Podesta follows their first encounter in Washington in May, where they pledged to work together on reducing methane emissions, the second most abundant greenhouse gas.
The talks over two days aim to explore strategies for ensuring a successful COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, as stated by the US State Department.
Despite existing differences and tensions, President Joe Biden’s administration views climate cooperation with China as an important area for collaboration.
The previous climate envoy John Kerry developed a close relationship with Xie Zhenhua, the veteran Chinese climate negotiator, through extended discussions held in California before last year’s COP28 in Dubai. This relationship helped facilitate consensus at the summit.
Prior to the Dubai meeting, China outlined a comprehensive plan to address methane emissions, an issue of particular sensitivity as China is the world’s top emitter of methane, largely from coal mining activities.
In May, the two countries announced plans to co-host an event in Baku focused on reducing methane and other non-carbon greenhouse gases, emphasizing the importance of bilateral cooperation and technological advancements in curbing emissions.
While China has not yet committed to a global pledge led by the US and EU to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, both countries recognize the urgency in addressing methane due to its potent impact on climate change.
Methane, emitted from sources like oil and gas production and agriculture, is a significant contributor to global warming due to its high potency as a greenhouse gas.
UN climate summits have set a target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, but current efforts fall short of this goal.
The Dubai talks marked a significant shift in acknowledging the need to move away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
As the largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, China plays a crucial role in addressing climate change concerns, particularly in reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
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