28 September 2015
US, China Leaders Outline Vision for Paris
story highlights

The Presidents of the US and China have issued a Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change comprising a vision for the UN Paris Climate Change Conference, and announcements on advancing domestic climate action and enhancing bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation.

China announced plans to launch a national emissions trading system (ETS) in 2017 and ¥20 billion (US$3.14 billion, September 2015) for climate finance.

The US highlighted its Clean Power Plan.

china_us_flag25 September 2015: The Presidents of the US and China have issued a Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change comprising a vision for the UN Paris Climate Change Conference, and announcements on advancing domestic climate action and enhancing bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation. China announced plans to launch a national emissions trading system (ETS) in 2017 and ¥20 billion (US$3.14 billion, September 2015) for climate finance. The US highlighted its Clean Power Plan.

The Joint Presidential Statement was issued during the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to Washington, D.C., US, from 24-25 September, hosted by US President Barack Obama. It builds on the US-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change of November 2014, in which both countries announced post-2020 emissions reduction targets and other actions on climate change.

In the statement, Presidents Obama and Xi stress climate change as one of the greatest threats facing humanity and the critical role of their countries in addressing it.

On a common vision for the agreement expected to be adopted at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC, the two leaders, inter alia, reaffirm their commitment to reaching an ambitious agreement in Paris that “reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances.” They also state that “differentiation should be reflected in relevant elements of the agreement in an appropriate manner” and support the inclusion of an enhanced transparency system in the Paris outcome.

On advancing domestic action, the statement highlights steps taken since the November 2014 Joint Announcement and announces additional implementation plans, including: plans by China to start, in 2017, its national ETS, covering key industry sectors; commitment by China to have green buildings represent 50% of newly built buildings in cities and towns by 2020; and commitment by the US to finalize more than 20 efficiency standards in the buildings sector by 2016 and implement a new set of fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles in 2019.

On enhancing bilateral and multilateral climate cooperation, the leaders, inter alia, commit to enhancing cooperative efforts through the US-China Climate Change Working Group (CCWG). China announces it will make available ¥20 billion for establishing the China South-South Climate Cooperation Fund to support other developing countries to combat climate change, including through enhancing capacity to access the funds under the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

Other issues covered during President Xi Jinping’s State Visit to the US include: global and regional challenges; bilateral military and other relations; and development cooperation, including advancing “sustainable and inclusive international development as laid out in the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

The UN Paris Climate Change Conference will take place from 30 November to 11 December 2015. [US White House Fact Sheet on the State Visit] [US White House Fact Sheet on the Joint Statement on Climate Change] [US-China Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change] [IISD RS Story on US-China 2014 Joint Announcement on Climate Change]

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