Resolve final Paris issues envoy urges

Xie Zhenhua says nations must decide how best to incentivize emissions cuts

China's special climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, is eager to see world leaders agree on rules for global carbon markets and finalize the now-infamous Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, the only part of the climate pact that remains unresolved.

Article 6 covers carbon markets and other cross-border mechanisms to incentivize emissions reductions. Failure to reach agreement on the article cast a shadow over negotiations at the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP25, in Madrid.

When asked by China Daily if he was confident that the issue could be resolved at COP26, which is taking place in Glasgow, Scotland, Xie said China is "highly supportive of finalizing this issue during this COP".

"The Paris Agreement has already been in force for six years, and it would be difficult for us to explain to the world why we haven't finalized these issues after so many years."

In the lead-up to COP26, he added, he had spoken to leaders from the United States, Brazil, and France, as well as COP26 President Alok Sharma, about unpicking the technical issues that have plagued progress on this part of the agreement.

"Article 6 is quite significant for achieving the Paris goals," he said. "These issues are still under negotiation, but I think that if all parties can be constructive and can agree that we need to cut emissions using market-based instruments, there is a possibility that we can finalize these issues at this COP."

Xie went on to say that China is taking concrete action toward fulfilling its two core climate pledges; to peak emissions before 2030, and achieve net-zero emissions before 2060.

"We not only make promises, we honor our word," Xie told reporters at a news conference. "We have already released an action plan for peaking emissions."

In response to calls from some corners for the Paris Agreement target to be changed to 1.5 C maximum warming — instead of its current range of 2 C to 1.5 C — Xie said he did not support any plan that could jeopardize previous progress.

"If we are to only focus on 1.5 C, it means we are destroying this consensus between all parties," Xie said. "And maybe countries will demand a reopening of negotiations if we are to change the target to only 1.5 C, and that will be a long process."

Xie said it is important to honor what was decided on in Paris, calling the agreement "science-based, rule-based, inclusive and realistic".

Xie also called on developed nations to make good on the promise of $100 billion in annual climate finance for the developing world, a goal that was missed last year.

"Developed countries have largely failed to honor their commitment for climate finance, which has a negative impact on mutual trust between developed and developing countries."

Xie said that the decision of former US president Donald Trump to withdraw from the Paris Agreement hindered progress toward its goals, and that leaders had to work together to make up this ground once more.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden took the unusual step of apologizing for the actions of his predecessor.

"Five years have been wasted due to the US's withdrawal (from the Paris Agreement). Now we need to make up the lost time," Xie said.