completes visit to Tianjin for critical talks ahead of
UN climate change conference, COP26
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Visit focused around discussions with Special Representative
for Climate Change Affairs of China, Xie Zhenhua on China’s
central role in addressing the global climate crisis, in
their first face-to-face meeting
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COP President stressed the need for China and all countries
to take urgent action over next decade to pursue efforts to
keep the 1.5 degree temperature goal within reach, including
on coal, finance, deforestation and zero emissions vehicles
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The pair underscored their commitment to multilateralism and
a safe and COVID-secure COP26 which accelerates climate
action and addresses gaps in climate ambition in this
critical decade
has completed constructive talks with Special
Representative Xie Zhenhua during his first visit to China as
COP26 President-Designate.
With less than two months to go before the UK hosts the crucial
UN climate change conference, COP26, Mr Sharma travelled to
Tianjin for two days of discussions, to accelerate action ahead
of the Glasgow summit.
The COP26 President pointed to recent warnings from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which China is party
to, as evidence that all countries needed to pick up the pace and
take urgent action over the next decade to deliver on the Paris
Agreement and pursue efforts to keep global temperature rise to
1.5C. This is a message he has been taking around the world over
the past eight months.
During a series of meetings with Special Representative Xie
Zhenhua, the pair discussed President Xi Jinping’s commitments to
achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, peak emissions before 2030 and
reduce China’s use of coal. Mr Sharma welcomed China’s intention
to outline detailed policy plans to meet these, following on from
commitments made at the G20 for countries to publish enhanced
Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of COP26.
They discussed opportunities for China to go further and build on
its world-leading position as the largest investor in renewable
energy, and the largest domestic market for zero emission
vehicles. The COP President Designate also highlighted in
discussions how China could demonstrate global leadership by
ending overseas coal financing. The pair also discussed the vital
importance of protecting nature and China’s presidency of CBD
COP15.
The COP President and Special Representative also discussed the
detailed Covid measures to hold a safe and secure event in
Glasgow, which was welcomed by the Chinese delegation.
During his visit Mr Sharma met other senior ministers virtually
including Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, as well as the Governor
of the People’s Bank of China Yi Gang and UK and Chinese business
representatives to encourage greater ambition for decarbonisation
and participation at COP26.
Speaking at the end of his visit, Mr Sharma said:
I have had constructive discussions on my first visit to China
in the COP26 role, but time is running out to prevent a climate
catastrophe, and so the discussions I have had here are nothing
short of crucial.
The commitments President Xi has made over the last year are
welcome and China’s pledge to tackle climate change as a shared
mission for humanity is encouraging. The choices that China
makes, on their energy mix, and on coal specifically, will
shape our shared future.
The question that remains is how fast they put these into
action, along with other major emitters. I look forward to more
detailed plans being published setting out how China’s targets
will be met.
The clock is running down fast and the next decade will be
decisive. All countries need to pick up the pace on driving
down emissions and safeguarding people and nature from the
worst effects of climate change.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Some meetings were held virtually so as to reduce numbers
inside the Covid-19 secure bubble
- Strict Covid-19 protocols were followed by all members of the
delegation, including regular testing
