COP29: UK and China can set a powerful example for global climate cooperation

Prof Piers FORSTER (Interim Chair, UK Climate Change Committee)

Prof WANG Yi (Vice Chair, China Expert Panel on Climate Change)

Global surface temperatures reached record levels in 2024 and climate impacts are being felt around the world. Whilst multilateral talks at the UNFCCC COP29 meeting in Azerbaijan have delivered some progress, for example on international carbon markets, there is increasing focus on bilateral, sub-national and country group dialogues that can offer routes through to further progress. Amidst rising political tensions, strong bilateral cooperation between the UK and China can provide the international leadership needed to accelerate progress on climate change this decade.

As the talks in Azerbaijan were continuing, national leaders from the UK and China met at the G20 summit in Brazil. They agreed to cooperate on areas such as clean energy and climate change, addressing shared global challenges.

Following this meeting, and to support both multilateral and bilateral cooperation, we propose that our expert climate change committees advance our interactions. Our committees have different mandates and institutional structures. Nevertheless, we can collaborate effectively to help us better advise our countries on how to decarbonise and affect a green transition in a way that supports jobs and the economy.

The UK Committee recently advised the UK government on its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The Chinese Committee is advising the Chinese government on its dual carbon goals and climate risks, and is supporting the international climate negotiations. Both countries could reach a broader and more practical consensus through the support from their respective committees.

Supported by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in China (MEE), and Chatham House, the UK climate science community and policy experts have collaborated since 2013, working to improve understanding of the risks of climate change and the policies needed to improve resilience. Over the last two years, this collaboration has deepened. Our Committees have jointly explored how to provide constructive advice to our governments across a range of agreed themes of common interest and relevance to our national contexts. We, hereby, propose that our expert committees advance the interaction within their current institutional structures, to help us better advise our respective countries.

In order to build a greener, more climate resilient and inclusive sustainable society, the UK and China should take full advantage of the successful experience of cooperation over the past decade and the strengths of the built cooperation framework, to further deepen the cooperation. Our countries could consider making a joint statement to promote the multilateral climate agenda. Workstreams could be set up and focus on the clean energy transition, co-governance of climate and nature, climate risk and resilience, green finance, working together with other countries to promote the transition in an equitable, just, orderly way, which promotes sustainable economic development.

We look forward to the UK and China formally submitting comprehensive and strong NDCs for 2035. By progressing towards these targets, the UK and China can set an example to the rest of the world.