This is an emergency podcast about the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, which was released just a day ago. Top US and China climate negotiators Xie Zhenhua and John Kerry have held several days of talks at the Sunnylands estate near Palm Springs in California, and released this joint US-China statement in the lead-up to COP28 in Dubai.

Just a few months ago, Kerry had visited BJ to negotiate similar topics, and President Xi had used the occasion to emphasize that China would set its own path on climate, and not give in to pressure. So this joint statement comes as a bit of a positive surprise.

Topics we discuss:

The top highlights of the announcement, especially economy-wide emissions cuts and addressing all GHGs.
The meaning of "meaningful post-peak reductions in power sector emissions."
The importance of the phrasing around tripling renewable capacity.
What this means (or doesn't mean) for global stock taking.
How the issue of trade policy will play at the COP.
China's potential contribution to loss and damage funds.

Further reading:

Li Shuo, "What Does China Want From COP28?" Asia Society Policy Institute, November 2023, at https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/what-does-china-want-cop28.

This episode was produced by Anders Hove.

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#872: November 26, 2023

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