John Podesta visits China for climate talks ahead of COP29

John Podesta, the U.S. climate envoy, is set to visit Beijing from September 4 to September 6 for discussions with Liu Zhenmin, China’s new climate envoy. This meeting marks the second round of formal talks under a U.S.-China climate working group, focusing on practical cooperation, domestic climate policies, and multilateral climate processes. The trip is significant as it occurs less than three months before the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, scheduled for November 11 to November 22. The backdrop of these discussions includes China's position as the world's leading carbon emitter, which continues to build new coal-fired plants despite a global push for cleaner energy. Recent reports indicate that China constructed 41 gigawatts of coal plants in the first half of the year, reflecting over 90% of new global coal construction. While President Xi Jinping has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, the current pace of coal plant construction raises concerns about the effectiveness of these commitments. In contrast, President Biden has committed to halving U.S. emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The differing approaches to climate action between the two nations highlight the complexities of international climate negotiations. Podesta's role as a senior adviser for international climate policy follows John Kerry's departure to support Biden's reelection campaign, emphasizing the importance of U.S. leadership in global climate efforts. The upcoming talks are expected to build on previous discussions held in May, where both envoys addressed issues related to methane and non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases. The outcome of Podesta's visit could influence the dynamics of the upcoming COP29 negotiations and the broader U.S.-China relationship regarding climate change.