With US out of picture, EU tries to fill the climate void with China

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🗞️ Driving the news: As the U.S. under President Trump exits the Paris climate agreement for a second time, the EU is attempting to forge a climate partnership with China
• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are meeting with Chinese leaders in Beijing, with expectations of a joint climate statement — though its substance remains uncertain
• The potential agreement seeks to stabilise clean energy markets and reassert multilateral cooperation on climate in a fractured geopolitical landscape

🔭 The context: Historically, meaningful climate accords have stemmed from U.S.-China cooperation, notably the 2014 pact that paved the way for the Paris Agreement
• The EU struggled to fill that gap during Trump’s first term due to internal divisions and limited influence
But with China now prioritising clean technology as an economic driver — and the EU eager to maintain diplomatic relevance — a new climate alignment is being tested amid tense trade relations and political fragmentation on both sides

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: An EU-China climate pact, even if limited, could signal stability and intent in global climate diplomacy, especially ahead of COP30 in Brazil
• China’s expanding clean tech sector already contributes to reducing global emissions, and deeper cooperation could further accelerate this trend
• However, overreliance on Chinese technology — amid export controls and geopolitical leverage — raises concerns about the resilience and independence of Europe’s green transition

⏭️ What's next: Both sides are expected to submit updated emissions targets ahead of COP30, with the EU pushing China to enhance its commitment beyond its current 2030 peak goal
• Potential cooperation areas include methane reductions, carbon pricing, deforestation, and climate finance for developing nations
• Yet political headwinds in Europe and strategic caution in Beijing may limit ambition
• Even a basic joint statement, officials suggest, would be a symbolic but critical step toward keeping global climate negotiations on track.

💬 One quote: “EU-China climate cooperation can help steady markets, accelerate the clean energy transition and show that even in a moment of division, climate action remains one of the surest paths to resilience.” — Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland

📈 One stat: Chinese clean tech exports reduced global emissions by approximately 1% in 2024, according to Carbon Brief

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