President Obama joined Chinese President Xi Jinping in making major post-2020 commitments for cutting greenhouse gas emissions Wednesday, months ahead of a March deadline, in a move that aims to build momentum for United Nations-hosted climate negotiations next year.
Observers of the forthcoming U.N. talks in Paris have been focused on the U.S. and China. The announcement, which comes after months of secret negotiations between the top two global emitters, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting came as a surprise given how much longer nations have to float their goals for curbing emissions.
The White House said it would cut carbon emissions between 26 and 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, which it said would double the pace of carbon emissions reductions between 2020 and 2025. China said its emissions would peak and then begin declining around 2030, and that it would increase its non-fossil fuel energy supply to 20 percent by 2030.
“Today’s joint announcement, the culmination of months of bilateral dialogue, highlights the critical role the two countries must play in addressing climate change,” the White House said in a statement. Nations meeting next year in Paris hope to strike a deal to govern emissions reductions beyond 2020 to keep global temperatures from rising 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
The climate pledge underscores the leading role Obama wants the U.S. to take on the international stage. While the administration is pursuing a pact that wouldn’t require Senate approval, the upcoming Republican-led Congress already plans to handcuff regulatory efforts necessary to achieve the White House’s carbon-cutting goal.
The announcement also serves to highlight China’s growing understanding that it must engage the process to solidify its global standing after years of obstructing negotiations, as it’s in the past said slashing emissions would restrain economic growth and keep millions in poverty.
“Today’s announcement sends a jolt of energy through talks to reach a new global climate pact in Paris. By acting together, the world largest historical emitter and the globe’s current leading emitter have put the rest of the world on notice: Game on; it’s time to act,” said Lou Leonard, vice president of climate change with the World Wildlife Fund.
The commitment from China, the world’s top polluter, is fairly remarkable given it first made mention of reaching “peak emissions” in September at a U.N.-hosted climate summit. The development is likely a reflection of myriad factors, such as China’s slowing economy and falling prices for solar and wind energy, along with China’s desire to build its soft power and address domestic concerns about air quality.
“These targets will require major undertakings by both countries,” said Bob Perciasepe, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions and a former deputy Environmental Protection Agency administrator. “Clearly the leaders of the world’s two largest economies have decided the risks posed by climate change justify stronger action to cut carbon emissions. And they’re confident they can keep growing their economies at the same time.”
The White House has vowed to continue using executive action on climate even as Republicans prepare to take control of both chambers of Congress in January. The GOP has an eye on many of the Obama administration’s climate efforts, and will likely seek to rein them in through the spending process.
“This unrealistic plan, that the President would dump on his successor, would ensure higher utility rates and far fewer jobs,” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the likely next majority leader, said of the announcement with China.
Republicans also could try to take whacks at the White House’s international climate change efforts. The Obama administration is expected in the coming days to announce a pledge or millions, or maybe even billions, of dollars to developing countries to help them adapt to the effects of a warming planet. But Republicans could try to block those funds.
