Earth Science News
CLIMATE SCIENCE
As Trump returns, China seizes chance for climate mantle
As Trump returns, China seizes chance for climate mantle
By Shaun TANDON
Baku (AFP) Nov 20, 2024

With Donald Trump expected to take the United States again out of climate diplomacy, China, the world's largest emitter but green energy powerhouse, is seizing on the chance to project itself as the global leader.

At COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan, China has sought to show a cooperative side and for the first time gave details on its international climate finance, while still firmly resisting pressure to be reclassified as a donor.

The go-nice approach -- a contrast to Beijing's frequent shrillness about international disputes -- keeps the tone from a year ago at COP28 in Dubai.

There, China and the then US envoy John Kerry worked together for a breakthrough call on the world to transition away from fossil fuels responsible for climate change.

Few expect the warm feelings between China and the United States -- which together account for 41 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions -- to persist after Trump returns to the White House on January 20.

Trump is an outspoken and three-fold sceptic -- on working with China, on providing foreign assistance and on climate change in general.

Trump's election "opens up an opportunity for China to step up into even more of a climate leadership role," said Belinda Schaepe, a China analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air in London.

"It makes it easy for China to portray itself as the more responsible global power of the two," she said.

But she said China would bolster its case if it offered forward-looking promises on aid and ambitious targets for cutting emissions through 2035, not just in the longer term.

- Addressing critics on finance -

In the Baku talks, wealthy countries are being urged to go beyond an expiring goal of providing $100 billion a year to poor countries worst hit by climate change.

China has resolutely resisted pressure by Western nations as well as some threatened island states to be considered a donor, which would subject it to greater accounting scrutiny.

Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, visiting Baku, revealed that China had contributed $24.5 billion in international climate finance since 2016.

Jennifer Morgan, Germany's negotiator, said the announcement "shows that China can do a lot and is already doing a lot".

"But we can only take account of what has been reported transparently," she said.

One option would be for China to promise future aid but on a voluntary basis, while remaining listed as a developing country.

The classification dates back to 1992, before China's breakneck economic development. The Asian power has now surpassed Europe as the second-largest historical emitter after the United States.

"Not only China, but also Gulf nations and other countries should give in line with their capabilities," said Susana Muhamad, Colombia's environment minister.

But she also said that if Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris accord, "I think there are countries that will take the climate lead and China is very committed, at least in terms of the multilateral process."

US climate negotiators' leverage evaporated with Trump's election on November 5.

President Joe Biden, on a visit Sunday to the Brazilian Amazon, said his administration has made good on his promise to deliver more than $11 billion in bilateral climate finance this year, a major increase during his term.

- Turbulence ahead -

China's priority on climate is rooted in self-interest as authorities address dire environmental woes.

China has also quickly emerged as the global leader on clean energy, dominating the electric car and solar industries -- leading both the United States and European Union to impose tariffs.

Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said he saw China negotiating constantly in Baku with the Europeans -- much like they did previously with Kerry -- in anticipation of difficulties once Trump takes office.

"The politics will get worse before they get better. The US-China relationship will deteriorate and the China-EU relationship will see turbulence," he said.

But Li said that a US exit under Trump could have an unexpected upside in climate negotiations, if not on climate overall.

"Ironically, the Trump election might make dealmaking easier because the US carries the most extreme position," he said.

sct/lth/jj

Amazon.com

Related Links
Climate Science News - Modeling, Mitigation Adaptation

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
CLIMATE SCIENCE
G20 climate pledge draws mixed views at COP29
Baku (AFP) Nov 19, 2024
Activists and a key negotiating group at the stalled COP29 climate talks on Tuesday cautiously welcomed a G20 leaders statement backing a finance deal for poorer countries, but some slammed a missing reference to fossil fuels. The leaders of the world's 20 richest economies were under pressure during their summit in Brazil to break the impasse over climate finance at the deadlocked COP29 talks in Azerbaijan. A statement issued by G20 leaders in Rio de Janiero overnight reiterated support for a d ... read more

CLIMATE SCIENCE
LIST and UNHCR partner to develop emergency early warning system

Senegal navy intercepts almost 1,000 illegal migrants in one month

Americans face an insurability crisis as climate change worsens disasters

Spain royals cheered in flood epicentre after chaotic trip

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Enormous potential for rare Earth elements found in US coal ash

Scientists show how a laser beam can cast a shadow

MIT engineers make converting CO2 into useful products more practical

British Museum secures record 1bn donation of Chinese ceramics

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Parts of Great Barrier Reef suffer highest coral mortality on record

How the Mediterranean lost 70% of its water during a prehistoric crisis

Taps run dry in sprawling suburb of Mauritania's capital

NASA data aids global efforts in combating sea level rise

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Political implications of Antarctic geoengineering debated

Space for Shore project tracks Svalbard glacier changes with Sentinel-1

Tajikistan lost 1,000 glaciers in 3 decades: minister

U.S., Finland and Canada agree to icebreaker collaboration pact

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Defiant Lebanese harvest olives in the shadow of war

Denmark's major parties agree carbon tax on livestock

Olive seeds from space mission begin growth in China

Planet expands partnership with Abelio for enhanced digital farming solutions

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Tropical storm Sara kills four in Honduras and Nicaragua

Burst dike leaves Filipino farmers under water

Magnitude 6.6 quake strikes off Papua New Guinea: USGS

Tropical Storm Sara pounds Honduras with heavy rain

CLIMATE SCIENCE
UK doubles aid to war-torn Sudan

World not listening to us, laments Kenyan climate scientist at COP29

Madagascar riverbank landslide hits boat, killing 16

French weapons in Sudan 'in violation of UN embargo': Amnesty

CLIMATE SCIENCE
Sitting for extended periods linked to higher cardiovascular risk even in physically active individuals

Iraq holds its first census in nearly 40 years

Swedish app aims to solve household chore disputes

Study shows ancient use of fire to manage Tasmania's environment 41,600 years ago

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.