Emergency Podcast! Sunnylands Declaration and COP28 - with Li Shuo

Emergency Podcast! Sunnylands Declaration and COP28 - with Li Shuo

Author: Beijing Energy Network November 16, 2023 Duration: 24:13

This is an emergency podcast about the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, which was released just a day ago. Top US and China climate negotiators Xie Zhenhua and John Kerry have held several days of talks at the Sunnylands estate near Palm Springs in California, and released this joint US-China statement in the lead-up to COP28 in Dubai.

Just a few months ago, Kerry had visited BJ to negotiate similar topics, and President Xi had used the occasion to emphasize that China would set its own path on climate, and not give in to pressure. So this joint statement comes as a bit of a positive surprise.

Topics we discuss:

  • The top highlights of the announcement, especially economy-wide emissions cuts and addressing all GHGs.
  • The meaning of "meaningful post-peak reductions in power sector emissions."
  • The importance of the phrasing around tripling renewable capacity.
  • What this means (or doesn't mean) for global stock taking.
  • How the issue of trade policy will play at the COP.
  • China's potential contribution to loss and damage funds.

Further reading: 

Li Shuo, "What Does China Want From COP28?" Asia Society Policy Institute, November 2023, at https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/what-does-china-want-cop28

This episode was produced by Anders Hove.

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Produced by the Beijing Energy Network, Environment China is a bilingual podcast that delves into the complex and vital stories shaping China's ecological landscape. Rather than offering broad pronouncements, it focuses on grounded conversations with the people on the front lines: the advocates campaigning for change, the entrepreneurs building sustainable solutions, and the researchers providing crucial data. Each episode explores the intersection of society, culture, and science, revealing how environmental policy and daily life are intertwined. You'll hear specific discussions about conservation efforts, green technology, urban design, and community initiatives, all framed within the unique context of modern China. This podcast provides a necessary platform for these nuanced voices, translating complex issues into accessible dialogue. It’s an essential listen for anyone seeking to move beyond headlines and understand the real-world work being done to address environmental challenges. By listening to Environment China, you gain insight into the multifaceted movement towards sustainability, one conversation at a time.
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