A Guide to U.S.-China Climate Cooperation
The United States and China, the world’s two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, must both take decisive action to reduce emissions in the next five years—before it is too late to avoid the most catastrophic effects of global warming. Thanks to the hard work of leaders and specialists in both countries, a U.S.-China climate deal is now within reach. William Chandler, director of Carnegie's Energy and Climate Program and the lead U.S. facilitator of the U.S.-China Track II climate dialogue, discusses the prospects for ongoing cooperation.
Related:
Minister Xie and Senator Cantwell on climate cooperation, event
China signals willingness to work with U.S. on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, press release
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Weatherization—A Test Case
The Department of Energy’s Weatherization program, a 30-year-old program that improves the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families, is receiving more than a 20-fold increase in funding in the economic stimulus plan. Spending this money effectively depends on accelerated delivery, expanded participation, and long-term sustanability strategies.
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The U.S.-China Climate Initiative provides the framework for these two nations—equally responsible for two-fifths of global greenhouse gas emissions—to take action commensurate with the risk of global warming.
Minister Xie and Senator Cantwell on U.S.-China Climate Cooperation
Minister Xie Zhenhua, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission and China’s top climate change negotiator, made a historic visit to the U.S. to meet with members of the Administration in March 2009. Minister Xie and Senator Maria Cantwell spoke publicly at Carnegie to discuss U.S.–China climate cooperation.Breaking the Suicide Pact: U.S.–China Cooperation on Climate Change
The U.S. and China remain locked in a “suicide pact” — each demanding that the other take responsibility, while the threat of environmental disaster grows. In this policy brief, William Chandler identifies practical, non treaty-based approaches for cooperation that the U.S. and China can take to cut carbon dioxide emissions across economic sectors — with little financial impact. -
Financing Energy Efficiency in China
Carnegie's William Chandler and co-author Holly Gwin demonstrate that financial reform is a sine qua non for curbing China’s greenhouse gas emissions in a new report. The paper identifies steps China can take independently that will simultaneously benefit its economy and decrease its carbon emissions even as the world continues to work toward a climate treaty. This report is also avaliable in Chinese.
China's Performance at Bali Talks
In an interview with E&Etv, Carnegie's William Chandler discusses how China addresses climate and energy within its borders.
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India's Climate Change Initiatives: Strategies for a Greener Future
India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change reflects the recognition that its economic growth will hit a dead-end if it does not embrace sustainable growth as a goal, asserted Shyam Saran, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Climate Change. In an engaging presentation moderated by William Chandler, Saran outlined India’s strategies for tackling the challenge of climate change while simultaneously promoting economic growth and poverty reduction.
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Nuclear Energy: Rebirth or Resuscitation?
International expectations for nuclear energy have grown dramatically. Scores of nations are now considering nuclear power to improve their energy security and reduce their carbon emissions. But Sharon Squassoni explains that nuclear energy is a costly detour if the goals are to mitigate climate change or reduce dependence on foreign oil.
Nuclear Renaissance: Is It Coming? Should It?
Despite talk of a renaissance, nuclear power will account for a declining percentage of global electricity generation without aggressive financial support and significant policy changes. Sharon Squassoni explains that the next U.S. administration must address critical questions about the feasibility and safety of nuclear expansion, and act to minimize current proliferation risks.More on Clean Energy>
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Can Trade Policy Support the Next Global Climate Agreement?
Recent WTO rulings indicate an increasing willingness by many states to restrict trade based on the environmental impact of goods production. Yet concern remains that such restrictions will be used to protect domestic industries, reduce efficiency, and spark trade wars. Margaret Lay explains that well designed trade regimes would mute those concerns, and that the global community should incorporate such measures into any post-Kyoto multilateral climate agreement.
More on Market-Based Climate Mechanisms>
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25 Ways to Turn the Heat Off
In a recent article in The Chicago Tribune, energy and climate experts, including Carnegie's William Chandler, suggest ways in which individuals can contribute to the fight against climate change.More Flexibility Needed for Effective Emissions Cap-and-Trade Policy
In an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations, Carnegie Energy and Climate Program Director William Chandler urges the United Nations to rethink how it implements its emissions trading program to make it more effective. -
Green Investment Review
This project will review of the investment climate in the U.S. and China for foreign direct investment in technology to address energy and environmental challenges, especially climate change. Carnegie will convene a joint team of U.S. and Chinese experts to examine the investment climate and attempt to differentiate between which are of these barriers are real and which are perceived and then make recommendations to policy makers on how to encourage “green” investment in China and the U.S.
Cap and Trade in the Building Sector
The climate change debate is focused on the provisions of the cap-and-trade legislation roiling through Congress. While essential if the U.S. is to join the rest of the developed world in addressing climate change, most plans cover only the largest power plants and manufacturers. The building sector—the largest, cheapest and most certain place to reduce GHG emissions—is untouched. The analysis will show how to complete the challenge.
Weatherization--A Test Case II
In February, a Carnegie report put the spotlight on the Department of Energy’s Weatherization program. The 30-year-old program which weatherizes the homes of low-income families received a 20-fold increase in funding from the economic stimulus plan. The Carnegie report said success rested on three strategies: Accelerated administration, focused capacity building; and strong partnerships. Test Case II will focus on the progress in the ramp-up six months later.
Resources
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About the Program
Carnegie's new Energy & Climate Program engages global experts working in energy technology, environmental science, and political economy to develop practical solutions for policy makers around the world. The program aims to provide the leadership and the policy framework necessary for minimizing risks stemming from global climate change and reducing competition for scarce resources.
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China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change
A recent white paper from the Chinese government explains that China is committed to climate change mitigation and adaptation, through both national and international efforts. As a country that is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, China has set ambitious goals for both adaptation and mitigation, and in recent years it has already taken important steps toward these goals.
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Realizing the Potential of Energy Efficiency
Carnegie’s William Chandler serves as senior advisor on a UN Foundation report that recommends energy efficiency as the energy resource of first choice for national and international action on climate change. Energy efficiency is the least expensive and most readily scalable energy resource option that fuels sustainable global economic growth and enhances national security. Also available in Chinese.
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Secretary Paulson discusses U.S.-China SED
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. discussed the U.S.–China economic relationship and the upcoming meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED) on June 10, 2008 at the Carnegie Endowment. Cooperation between the two countries on energy and the environment is a critical aspect of the talks.
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Carnegie Moscow Energy Security
The Carnegie Moscow Center conducts a Forum to examine the role that science and technology can play in strengthening energy security in Russia and Eurasia.
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Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Program Resources on Energy
Events, analysis and commentary on Energy in Russia and Eurasia
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Program Experts
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William Chandler
Senior Associate and Director, Energy & Climate Program (Washington, DC)
Chandler has spent 35 years working in energy and environmental policy, both in the private sector and as an adjunct professor of energy and environment at Johns Hopkins University. He served as a member of the international energy panel of the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and was a lead author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. -
Zhou Dadi
Senior Associate,
Energy & Climate Program (Beijing)
Zhou has been a prominent figure in shaping China’s energy import and export reform policies for more than two decades, serving most recently as the director general of China's Energy Research Institute. -
John Millhone
Visiting Scholar,
Energy & Climate Program
(Washington, DC)
Millhone has served as program manager of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental programs, Climate Change programs, and buildings research and regulatory programs. His energy experience reaches from the state level, as former director of the Iowa and Minnesota state energy agencies, to the international level, as former chairman of the International Energy Agency’s End-Use Working Party. -
Taiya Smith
Visiting Scholar,
Energy & Climate Program
(Washington, DC)
Smith has spent the past decade working in international negotiations, at the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, and in the private sector. Most recently, she helped lead the Strategic Economic Dialogue and the Ten Year Framework on Energy & Environment for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.