Sino-US cooperation on global warming crucial amid 'cool' ties

Global climate governance faces major challenges. Both China and the United States are experiencing the pain and challenges brought about by climate change, and the joint efforts of China and the US are necessary to overcome those challenges.

Global warming surpassed the 1.5 C mark in the 12 months to January 2024, breaching a critical threshold which, if it continues, will push the limits of life on Earth to adapt. The impacts of global warming are becoming increasingly devastating, as evidenced in the more frequent and severe extreme weather events including massive heat waves, long spells of drought, and more destructive floods and wildfires across the world. This will not only cause significant economic losses and create heavy socioeconomic burdens, but also lead to an increasing loss of biodiversity and threaten human life.

China and the US both have played significant roles in addressing the climate crisis. In particular, the two countries worked with France to finalize the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015, setting an apt example of major country cooperation in promoting global climate governance.