President Biden’s pick to lead the CIA insisted it’s in China’s self-interest to cooperate with the United States on climate change as Republicans worry climate czar John Kerry and the Biden administration might pursue a climate agreement with China at the expense of confronting the country on other issues.
China is the world’s biggest polluter and leading greenhouse gas emitter, producing an estimated 28% or more of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, more than the U.S. and European Union combined. In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a plan to hit peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2060, claiming “China always honors its commitments.” Biden rejoined the Paris climate agreement on Inauguration Day after former President Donald Trump left it in 2017.
