China’s pledge in September to pursue carbon neutrality by 2060 was followed by a similar pledge from Japan a month later. With these commitments being made at a time when the US has withdrawn from the Paris climate accord, it is easy to interpret them as part of the ongoing geopolitical competition for global leadership. But managing climate change is not a zero-sum game. Here, national competition to strengthen ambitions and policies benefits everyone.

Millions of people around the world are facing significant adversity. Governments must provide adequate financial and social protection, so that the poor and marginalized do not feel they must choose between protecting their health and providing for their families. And they must address the deeper social inequalities that the pandemic has exacerbated.

While the Western media criticize the country’s efforts and spread doubt about its motives, it is actually focusing on what matters — saving lives. While others race to be first, China is striving to be safe and effective.

In his video address to the United Nations General Assembly in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a slight improvement of China’s 2015 Paris climate agreement pledge: national carbon dioxide emissions should now peak before 2030 rather than around 2030.

U.S. President Donald Trump proved himself utterly incompetent in the face of the pandemic, grievously harming his country, his allies and the world. Following China’s light would have averted untold suffering.

Even as the global pandemic continues to unfold, geopolitical maneuvering remains in play. The outbreak has exposed how struggles for power, respect, and control play out even in matters of public health as powerful nations aim to maximize their gains alongside a working treatment.

As municipal budgets are squeezed by COVID-19, authorities need to get creative in order to stave off future weather events.

According to a new report, US states are the most virus-affected relative to major economies. As COVID-19 has proceeded in two phases, containment failures in the West continue to fuel the pandemic and unleash economic damage.

‘Ecological Civilization’ and ‘Beautiful China’ are state-led ideologies that play a significant role in Chinese climate policy for both the policymakers and citizens.

Around the world, breweries are seeking ways to lower their environmental footprint, while increasing production and profits. The brewery industries in China and the U.S. look at methane biogas capture from their wastes as a part of both their business plans and to meet environmental sustainability goals.