Even in Agreement, U.S., China Still Worlds Apart on Climate Change

July 29, 2009

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

While a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the U.S. and China, no firm goals have been set on climate change. Despite the pledge to work cooperatively toward a solution that allows passage of broader international climate legislation and move both countries toward “low carbon” economies, China is sticking to its guns on the notion that, as a developing nation, it should not have to cap its emissions.

The MOU, signed on July 28, states that “Cooperation between the United States and China is critical to enhancing energy security, combating climate change, and protecting the environment and natural resources through pollution control and other measures.”

It also seeks to build a relationship and dialogue “for years to come, while also contributing to multilateral cooperation.”

The two sides’ climate parties have committed to meeting “regularly.” Ongoing talks will be chaired by the Department of State and Department of Energy on the U.S. side and the National Development and Reform Commission on the Chinese side. Read remarks from the signing ceremony here.

The nations’ emissions are roughly the same, though China took the lead in 2006. Together, the two account for about 40 percent of global emissions.

But ahead of the Copenhagen climate talks this December, the U.S. and China have much to work out, analysts say.

“China and the United States are different in their stages of development, national conditions and historic footprints, so I think they should shoulder different responsibilities in tackling climate change,” said Zhang Guobao, president of China’s National Energy Administration, reports the Los Angeles Times.

China does not want to to commit to targets for greenhouse gas reductions, nor does it want to open its market to U.S. cleantech imports.

Todd Stern, the Obama administration’s special envoy for climate change, characterized the impasse as “a lot of ingrained and embedded perspective on this issue that goes back now for 15 years.”

Because China knows that no meaningful global agreement can go forward with its approval, the nation is angling for financial support and know-how related to carbon capture, waste-heat recovery and concentrated solar. But because the nation won’t allow U.S. imports of those technologies, U.S. business groups are loathe to allow the technology transfer, saying that China would surely flood the market with less expensive options.

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Make sustainability part of your strategy.

Get equipped at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Product Environmental Compliance Best Practices

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader