2017年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_US_6页_1mb

US-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change: A Summary

Core Content

The US-China joint announcement on climate change, issued during the APEC Summit in Beijing on November 12th, 2014, outlines the post-2020 climate change ambitions of both countries. This declaration is seen as a significant step towards a new global climate agreement to be finalized in Paris in 2015. It also marks a shift in the dynamics of international climate negotiations and reflects the growing importance of cooperation between the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases (GHG).

Main Points

• US Commitment: The United States aims to achieve a 26–28% reduction in economy-wide emissions by 2025 compared to 2005 levels. It will make a best effort to reach the higher end of this range.
• China Commitment: China intends to peak its CO₂ emissions by around 2030 and increase non-fossil fuel use in primary energy consumption to 20% by 2030.
• Cooperation Framework: Both countries will intensify collaboration on clean energy R&D, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and eco-innovation. A joint Climate Change Working Group and agreements on phasing out HFCs are established to support this cooperation.
• Green Climate Fund (GCF): The US pledged $3 billion to the GCF, which is about 30% of the total $9.3 billion pledged to date.

Key Impacts

• Global Climate Negotiations: The announcement serves as a benchmark for other nations, particularly those in the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) and developed countries like Japan and Australia. It is expected to influence the Paris Agreement negotiations.
• EU Stance: The declaration challenges the EU's traditional leadership in climate action and may encourage the EU to increase its ambition in both domestic and international climate policies. The EU had previously committed to a 43% reduction in emissions from the EU ETS sectors and 30% for non-ETS sectors by 2030.
• Domestic Implementation Challenges: The US faces political challenges due to Republican opposition, while China's commitment is less detailed and may be difficult to implement due to domestic priorities and structural complexities.
• Environmental Standards: The announcement is considered a starting point rather than a comprehensive solution, as it does not meet the IPCC's recommendations for limiting temperature rise to 2°C. It is seen as a 'floor' rather than a 'ceiling' for climate action.

Geopolitical and Economic Considerations

• BASIC Group Dynamics: China's commitment may create tensions within the BASIC group, particularly with India, which has a different stance on climate change. Brazil is expected to maintain its diplomatic approach, while the announcement may affect its position in future negotiations.
• Competitiveness and Trade: The UNFCCC negotiations are increasingly viewed as having trade implications. China's shift in climate stance could influence the position of other developing countries and may create pressure on the EU and other developed nations to align with more ambitious targets.
• Carbon Pricing and Policy Reversals: The announcement may affect Australia's position on climate change, especially regarding its recent reversal of carbon pricing mechanisms. It also influences the EU's approach to its own climate policies, such as the Market Stability Reserve.

Environmental and Policy Implications

• Scientific Requirements: The IPCC report suggests that more aggressive emissions reductions are needed to limit global warming to 2°C. The current commitments from the US and China are seen as insufficient by some environmental groups.
• Credibility and Transparency: The announcement is viewed as a credible effort, but the lack of detailed information on China's emissions peak and the implementation strategy raises concerns.
• CBDR Principle: China continues to support the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), while also introducing pilot carbon markets in different regions, signaling a shift in its climate policy approach.

Conclusions

The US-China joint declaration is a historic and significant step, especially given the countries' combined responsibility for over 30% of global GHG emissions. It is a positive development for the upcoming Paris Agreement and reflects a new era of cooperation between major global powers. However, the declaration is not seen as a complete solution to the climate crisis, and its long-term impact will depend on the level of implementation and the clarity of commitments from both countries. The EU is expected to respond to this announcement by potentially increasing its climate ambition, both domestically and internationally, to remain a global leader in climate action.

Key Data from Tables

Table 1: Total CO₂ Emissions (kt)

Table 2: CO₂ Emissions, Metric Tonnes per Capita

This joint declaration is a critical milestone in global climate governance, but its effectiveness will depend on the implementation and the clarity of the commitments from both the US and China.