China and India published a joint statement on climate change in which the two major economies express their full support for the success of the Paris UN Climate Change Conference, to be held in December 2015.
The statement was issued during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
15 May 2015: China and India published a joint statement on climate change in which the two major economies express their full support for the success of the Paris UN Climate Change Conference, to be held in December 2015. The statement was issued during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.
In the statement, the two countries describe climate change as a common concern of mankind and one of the greatest global challenges of the century. They draw attention to their domestic actions to combat the challenge, and assure they are “fully engaged” in domestic preparations for their respective intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs), which they would communicate “as early as possible and well before the Paris Conference.”
Stressing the need to address climate change through international cooperation, in the context of sustainable development, they emphasize that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol are the most appropriate frameworks for this cooperation. They also: call for developed countries to lead in emission reductions and provision of means of implementation (MOI) for developing countries; and emphasize the urgency of implementing the Bali Road Map, and the need for developed countries to raise their pre-2020 emission reduction targets and provide US$100 billion per year by 2020 to developing countries.
On the 2015 climate change agreement, the two countries indicate they would work towards “a comprehensive, balanced, equitable and effective agreement under the UNFCCC.” They also note that it should: address all key elements in a “comprehensive and balanced manner”; and be in full accordance with the principles of “equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, reflecting different historical responsibilities, development stages and national circumstances between developed and developing countries.”
India and China also decide they will further enhance their partnership on climate change through implementing the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation on Green Technologies, and the bilateral Agreement on Cooperation on Addressing Climate, from 2010 and 2009, respectively. Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of clean energy technologies, energy conservation and efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, low-carbon urbanization and adaptation.
During the visit, India and China signed over 20 cooperation agreements in different areas. [Joint Statement between India and China on Indian Prime Minister’s Website] [Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release] [Prime Minister of India Press Statement]