Mar 07, 2016
China's carbon emissions, by far the world's highest, may have peaked in 2014, according to a study published on Monday, potentially putting Beijing under pressure to toughen its climate pledges.
Chen Yonglong, Director of Center of American Studies, China Foundation for International Studies
Dec 22, 2015
The negotiations were tiresome, the jostling was tough and complicated. To save the common homeland of mankind, to guarantee the sustainable development of all countries, the conclusion of the Paris Agreement gives hope and expectation that we can overcome all sorts of difficulties, and we have the wisdom and courage to do so.
Yvo de Boer, Director-General, Global Green Growth Institute
Dec 21, 2015
The landmark climate deal negotiated last week in Paris is important first step. However, increased coordination and cooperation between developed and developing countries to enable these much-needed reforms is critical. This includes collective learning, building tools to help strengthen institutional capacity and develop green growth policy, expanding peer learning and knowledge sharing, and engaging private investors and public donors.
Dec 13, 2015
With the sudden bang of a gavel Saturday night, representatives of 195 countries reached a landmark climate accord that will, for the first time, commit nearly every country to lowering planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions to help stave off the most drastic effects of climate change.
Dec 11, 2015
China's President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday that their countries should step up efforts to reach a climate change deal, state media said, as leaders try to bridge gaps between rich and developing countries at talks in Paris.
Ben Reynolds, Writer and Foreign Policy Analyst in New York
Dec 10, 2015
As long as booming economic growth is seen as the key to enduring legitimacy and political success, it may be politically impossible to avoid catastrophic global warming. There are no “American” or “Chinese” emissions. There are simply carbon emissions.
Nov 30, 2015
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is attending the opening session of a major United Nations climate change conference here, met with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama on Monday, discussing issues from bilateral ties to climate change talks.
Han Liqun, Researcher, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations
Nov 30, 2015
Historically, international development cooperation without financing arrangements often had no future. Although the Paris Conference opens now, there has been no systemic progress on climate financing. If developed countries fail to make clear arrangements on how to finance the $100 billion target, developing countries may well refuse to sign on the final agreement. It is therefore essential for the parties to reach a realistic and politically acceptable financing scheme.
Edward B. Barbier, Professor of Economics, University of Wyoming
Nov 10, 2015
Beijing’s air pollution – and the stark contrast between how the rich and poor are able to respond to the problem, is a theme of developing economics. To address the current structural imbalance Barbier suggests tackling the twin problems of excessive environmental degradation and insufficient human capital, which he calls a “Balanced Wealth Strategy.”
Michal Meidan, Director, China Matters
Oct 16, 2015
China’s recently announced cap-and-trade system to limit emissions is a positive development, but not new. China’s emissions trading system (ETS) has seen some capping, and very little trading. Additional challenges lie ahead in the pricing of carbon and introduction of unified measurement, reporting, and verification systems.