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A Partnership to Save the Planet:
Rebuilding U.S.-China Climate Cooperation

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As the world heats up, the U.S. and China
are two of the most vulnerable countries
to climate change.*Source: Global Climate Risk Index

Rolling 5 year average change in temperatures 1889-2018 (F°)
Source: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
temperature color scale
-4
0
4

The U.S. and China account for 40%
of the world’s emissions today.*Source: Climate Action Tracker

CO2 emissions (tonnes)
Source: World In Data

1ktCO2 emissions color scale30Gt
year
United States
China

Renewables still only account
for 11% of the U.S. energy mix.*Source: U.S. EIA

China consumes more coal than
the rest of the world combined.*Source: BP

Energy per source (terawatt-hours)
Source: World In Data
United States
China
Belt & Road Initiative

The last coal-fired power plant
opened in the U.S. was in 2013.*Source: Carbon Brief

China has already approved
construction of a further 17 GW
of coal-fired power plants this year.*Source: Reuters

The BRI is responsible for more than
100 GW of coal-fired power plants
under construction globally.*Source: Yale Environment 360

Countries With Chinese Owned Coal Plants
Source: World Resources Institute
< 3MW
< 3.5GW
< 7GW
temperatures emissions energy mix coal plants

Project Description

In 2014, the United States and China made a landmark joint announcement to work together on addressing climate change. As the world’s two largest emitters, this was a seismic shift and helped ultimately pave the way for the Paris Agreement. It was followed by two further joint announcements in 2015 and 2016 and underpinned by cooperation on a number of initiatives.

As the climate crisis worsens, rebuilding this cooperation post-2020 will be in the interests of the United States, China and ultimately the world. Working with leading policymakers and experts from both sides, this project seeks to establish the case for why this cooperation is so crucial at this time, and also lay out a blueprint for how it could be rebuilt.

Explore Our Work

A New U.S. Administration

The United States is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter. For that reason, the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November will have an undeniable impact on the future of the global climate change regime.

ISSUE PAPER

April 2020

By Thom Woodroofe & Brendan Guy

Climate Diplomacy under a New U.S. Administration

  • Download the Paper.pdf (PDF, 2.04 MB)
CLIMATE HOME OP-ED

“2020 may be ‘last opportunity’ to limit warming to 1.5°C"

CLIMATE HOME OP-ED

“The US election is even more crucial with UN climate talks delayed to 2021"

ASIA INSIDE OUT PODCAST

Thom Woodroofe & Brendan Guy in conversation with Anubhav Gupta

UTS WEBINAR

“Can Joe Biden save the planet?" Thom Woodroofe in conversation with Bob Carr

INSIDE CLIMATE NEWS

"Will China and the US Become Climate Partners Again?"

THE HILL OP-ED

“Will Kamala Harris follow Al Gore's lead on climate change commitment?"

AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW OP-ED

“A Biden win will expose climate faultline in the U.S.-Australia alliance"

Sydney Morning Herald OP-ED

Kevin Rudd on the implications for Australia’s climate policies

CLIMATEWIRE

"How sour relations with China could derail Biden on climate"

MISSING AMERICA PODCAST

Kevin Rudd in discussion with Ben Rhodes on climate leadership

CLIMATEWIRE

“Biden is pressed to support a National Climate Council"

REUTERS

"Ahead of U.S. election, Europe eyes an ally in climate change fight"

REUTERS

“U.S. formally exits global climate pact amid election uncertainty”

ABC INSIDERS

“What a Biden administration in the White House means for Australia and climate change policy”

REUTERS

“Biden win puts 1.5C global warming limit back within reach”

THE WORLD PODCAST

Thom Woodroofe in conversation with PRI’s The World on the foreign policy implications of President-elect Biden’s climate plan

WASHINGTON POST

“Biden’s plan to combat climate change leaves coal-loving Australia an outlier”

CLIMATE HOME

“Climate watchers comment on Biden victory over Trump in US election”

The Guardian

"Biden vows US will work with Russia on climate"

China's Response to Climate Change

China’s response to climate change is a study in contrasts. This issue paper highlights key climate-related decisions by the Chinese government in the coming 18-months that will reverberate globally, including in the United States.

ISSUE PAPER

July 2020

By David Sandalow

China’s Response to Climate Change: A Study in Contrasts and a Policy at a Crossroads

  • Download the Paper (English).pdf (PDF, 4.47 MB)
  • Download the Paper (Mandarin).pdf (PDF, 5.41 MB)
ASIA SOCIETY EVENT

Kevin Rudd, Laurence Tubiana and John Denton on a green economic recovery, including in China

SCMP OP-ED

"China can show the world what a green economic recovery looks like"

CLIMATEWIRE

“Coal spree suggests China might loosen CO2 goals"

ASIA INSIDE OUT PODCAST

David Sandalow in conversation with Thom Woodroofe

WASHINGTON POST OP-ED

"China’s thirst for coal is economically shortsighted and environmentally reckless"

ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL

“Greening trends within China’s energy system: A 2019 update”

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION

“Can the United States and China reboot their climate cooperation?”

PROJECT SYNDICATE

Kevin Rudd on a green economic recovery, including in China

ASIA SOCIETY EVENT

China’s Special Advisor Xie Zhenhua in conversation with Kevin Rudd

REUTERS

"China to promise 'more' in new climate pledges, government advisor says"

THE GUARDIAN

“China pledges to become carbon neutral before 2060"

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

“China Says It Will Stop Releasing CO2 within 40 Years"

BBC WORLD NEWS

Kevin Rudd discusses China’s carbon neutrality pledge

CHINA DIALOGUE

“China’s new carbon neutrality pledge: What next?"

Sydney Morning Herald OP-ED

"China’s carbon pledge leaves Australia isolated and economically vulnerable"

CLIMATE CHANGE NEWS

“Asian net zero wave leaves Australia’s Scott Morrison isolated”

NIKKEI ASIA OP-ED

“China, Japan and South Korea have good news for planet Earth"

Emissions Scenarios

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said the world must reach net zero emissions by 2050 to stay within the temperature limits of the Paris Agreement. This joint report models various 2030 and mid-century emissions scenarios in the U.S. and China.

JOINT REPORT

November 2020

By the Asia Society Policy Institute & Climate Analytics

U.S. and China Climate Goals: Scenarios for 2030 and Mid-Century

  • Download the Joint Report (English).pdf (PDF, 1.06 MB)
  • Download the Joint Report (Mandarin).pdf (PDF, 5.09 MB)
NEW YORK TIMES

"Biden Wants to Be the Climate President. He’ll Need Some Help From Xi Jinping"

WASHINGTON POST OP-ED

“Here’s how Biden could get the U.S. to lead on climate change again”

CLIMATE HOME

“China is set to meet UN climate deadline, experts say, but coal pathway is uncertain”

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD OP-ED

“Biden’s climate target will set benchmark for Australia too”

ASIA SOCIETY AUSTRALIA

Kevin Rudd in conversation with Sophia Hamblin Wang on global climate cooperation

BRUSSELS MORNING

“Hopes for a Sino-American consensus over climate change”

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

"On Climate, Biden Must Do More than Undo Trump’s Damage"

ENERGY MIX

“Analysis shows U.S. could cut emissions 38-54% by 2030”

TRANSFORM

“Biden presidency could slash US emissions by 54%”

VOX

"The Paris agreement is five years old. Is it working?"

VOX

"China aims to be carbon neutral by 2060. Its new 5-year plan won’t cut it."

AUSTRALIAN Finanical Review

"Morrison under pressure ahead of Biden climate summit"

CHINA MATTERS POLICY BRIEF

“What should Australia do about PRC and US climate ambitions?”

ABC NEWS 24 INTERVIEW

“The impact of Xi Jinping’s carbon neutrality pledge on Australia”

VOX

"Why China is still clinging to coal"

BBC WORLD SERVICE

“US pledges to cut carbon emissions by 50-52%”

BLOOMBERG TV

Kevin Rudd on why climate commitments are critical

Reuters

"President Xi says China will start cutting coal consumption from 2026"

ABC NEWSRADIO

Kevin Rudd on Biden’s global summit

ABC TV

Kevin Rudd on Biden’s climate summit

The Case for Chinese Leadership

China has built up enormous goodwill in recent years for staying the course with the Paris Agreement. This essay outlines why climate leadership must remain an important geopolitical priority for China in the years ahead.

ESSAY

December 2020

By Kevin Rudd

The New Geopolitics of China’s Climate Leadership

  • Download the Essay(English).pdf (PDF, 210.21 KB)
  • Download the Essay (Mandarin).pdf (PDF, 326.4 KB)
FT Chinese

"Kevin Rudd: China’s Global Climate Leadership in the New Era"

CHINA DIALOGUE

"The new geopolitics of China’s climate leadership"

BLOOMBERG

“U.S., China Could Heal Rift By Cooperating on Climate Change, Says Rudd”

THE DIPLOMAT

“China, Climate Change, and COVID-19: An Interview With Kevin Rudd”

ASIA SOCIETY EVENT

Kevin Rudd and Hank Paulson on Chinese politics and economics

CLIMATE HOME

“Countries signal greater climate ambition but ‘step change’ needed on road to Glasgow”

NRDC BLOG

“China Outlines Additional Steps on Climate Action“

CLIMATEWIRE

“Xi vows modest climate action, but advocates want more”

NIKKEI ASIA

“Xi advances climate goals as Trump absent from UN summit”

CHINA DIALOGUE

"Are China’s new 2030 climate targets ambitious enough?"

ASIA SOCIETY EVENT

Kevin Rudd hosts China’s State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi

ATLANTIC COUNCIL

“What China’s march to net-zero emissions means for the world”

POLITICO

“What the world wants from John Kerry”

NRDC BLOG

“Taking the High Ambition Road to Glasgow”

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

"Can China build coal plants and climate treaties at once?"

Wall Street Journal

"U.S., China Climate Envoys to Meet Despite Frosty Alaska Talks"

BBC WORLD SERVICE

“Could China pull the plug on coal?”

BBC WORLD NEWS

“Kevin Rudd on climate change and US-China relations”

Newsweek

"Patience is required as the world waits for climate actions from the US and China"

THE AUSTRALIAN OP-ED

"Opportunity for Canberra if giants tackle climate"

The Australian

"Japan to end sale of coal-fired power stations overseas"

THE WIRE CHINA

"The Climate Crusaders"

Foreign Policy

"Biden Plans Big Pledge on U.S. Emissions Cuts"

SCMP OP-ED

"Climate change: the ball is in China’s court to do more on emissions cuts"

THE WIRE CHINA

"The Climate Contest"

CHINA DIALOGUE

"China’s commitment on HFCs sends key signal"

FT CHINESE

"Kevin Rudd: China's acceptance of the Kigali Amendment sends a positive signal"

THE GUARDIAN

"‘Big line in the sand’: China promises no new coal-fired power projects abroad"

AXIOS

"The road to COP26 gets slightly easier"

BBC NEWSHOUR

"China pledges to stop building coal-fired power plants abroad"

THE AUSTRALIAN

"Xi says China will stop building coal projects overseas"

CNET

"China pledges to stop funding new coal projects overseas"

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

"China’s exit from offshore coal is at once momentous and insufficient"

QUARTZ

"For China, COP26 is a vital marketing opportunity"

American Voter Attitudes

For the first time in American political history, polls indicate climate change is a top priority for voters. This joint report analyzes voter attitudes to cooperation with China on climate change.

JOINT PAPER

February 2021

By the Asia Society Policy Institute & Data for Progress

Understanding American Voter Attitudes Toward U.S.-China Climate Cooperation

  • Download the Joint Paper.pdf (PDF, 3.94 MB)
CNN

Kevin Rudd on why U.S. cooperation with China is both possible and essential

REUTERS

"Most U.S. voters want Biden to work with China on climate change"

DATA FOR PROGRESS BLOG

“To Tackle the Global Climate Crisis, President Biden Will Need to Work with China"

CLIMATE HOME

"Climate veteran Xie Zhenhua returns as China’s special envoy"

FOREIGN POLICY OP-ED

“Could the U.S. and China Cooperate on Climate Change?”
 

CHINA DAILY

"Climate partnership with China backed in US poll"

VOA Chinese

"Addressing climate change, U.S.-China cooperation faces obstacles" (Mandarin)

SLATE OP-ED

“Americans want the U.S. and China to work together to combat climate change”

Understanding the U.S.-China Climate Declaration

The latest 'ASPI Note' takes a look at the U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s released at COP26.

ASPI Note

November 2021

By Betty Wang and Thom Woodroofe

ASPI Note: Understanding the U.S.-China Climate Declaration

VOX

"How the US and China can jump-start cooperation on climate change"

REFERENCE NEWS (CANKAO XIAOXI)

"China and the US may have found a way to engage"

NEW YORK TIMES

"John Kerry Heads To China for First High-Level Talks Under Biden"

BBC WORLD SERVICE

Thom Woodroofe on John Kerry’s visit to China

CNN

"John Kerry's Shanghai visit tests whether US and China can cooperate and disagree at the same time"

CNN

Kevin Rudd on John Kerry’s visit to China

WALL STREET JOURNAL

"U.S. and China Discuss Enhancing Beijing’s Climate Commitments"

CHINA.ORG.CN

"China-US cooperation crucial to global climate change efforts"

THE GUARDIAN

"Compete, confront, cooperate: climate summit test for Biden’s China watchwords"

The GUARDIAN

"US seeks cooperation with China on climate but not at any price"

The AUSTRALIAN

"Leaders’ face-to-face nears virtual reality"

LA TIMES

"What U.S.-China tension means for fighting climate change"

POD SAVE THE WORLD

"The world gathers to fight climate change"

CLIMATE HOME

"China-US announce deal at Cop26 to accelerate climate action this decade"

AP NEWS

"China, US pledge to increase cooperation at UN climate talks"

BBC NEWS

Kevin Rudd on US-China Joint Statement

BBC NEWS

"COP26: Cautious welcome for unexpected US-China climate agreement"

NEW YORK TIMES

"China and the United States Join in Seeking Emissions Cuts"

THE GUARDIAN

"US-China deal on emissions welcomed by global figures and climate experts"

STRAITS TIMES

"US, China pledge to work together to fight climate change"

WALL STREET JOURNAL

"U.S.-China Surprise Cooperation on Climate Change Driven by Biden and Xi’s Need for Deal"

CARBON BRIEF

"China and US pledge to collaborate on cutting methane"

CLIMATE DIALOGUES WITH JERRY BROWN

Kevin Rudd on China and Climate with Former Governor of California Jerry Brown

THE WIRE CHINA

"U.S.-China Climate Relations Look Up After COP26"

CLIMATE HOME

"US-China climate working group cancelled after Pelosi’s Taiwan visit"

REUTERS

"U.S.-China diplomatic breakdown clouds outlook for global climate progress"

E&E NEWS

"China isn’t talking with the U.S. What it means for climate"

ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA

"Diplomatic breakdown between China and the US clouds outlook for global climate progress"

CHINA DIALOGUE

"The implications of the US and China suspending climate cooperation”

WASHINGTON POST

“5 things to know about the suspension of U.S.-China climate talks”

THE CLIMATE POD

Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on US-China Relations

REUTERS

Big-power rivalry overshadows Biden-Xi cooperation pledge

AXIOS

Biden-Xi meeting presses pause on U.S.-China free fall

A Blueprint for Cooperation

Coming Soon

A major outcome of this project will involve laying out a post-2020 blueprint for rebuilding U.S.-China climate cooperation.

About the Asia Society Policy Institute

With a problem-solving mandate, the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) tackles major policy challenges confronting the Asia-Pacific in security, prosperity, sustainability, and the development of common norms and values for the region.

Media inquiries on U.S.-China climate cooperation.

Project Team

The Hon. Kevin Rudd
bio

The Honorable Kevin Rudd

President, Asia Society Policy Institute; Founding Chair, Center for China Analysis
Thom Woodroofe Headshot
bio

Thom Woodroofe

Chief of Staff to the President & CEO and Fellow
Jing Qian
bio

Jing Qian

Co-Founder and Managing Director, Center for China Analysis
Betty
bio

Betty Wang

Program Officer
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