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On September 6, 2024, the inaugural U.S.-China Circular Economy Cooperation Forum took place in Beijing, drawing approximately 460 attendees, including representatives from the National Development and Reform Commission of China, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The forum aimed to enhance cooperation on climate issues as outlined in the Sunnylands Statement, focusing on the pressing issue of 'white pollution' caused by plastic waste [654ba727].
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Xie Feng emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing climate change during the forum. He highlighted China's commitment to energy conservation and ecological sustainability, framing the partnership between the U.S. and China as crucial for effective climate action [a2d0e78f].
Key speakers included U.S. climate envoy John Podesta, China's Special Envoy for Climate Change Liu Zhenmin, and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns. Niutech, a leader in continuous pyrolysis technology, presented innovative solutions for waste plastic recycling, showcasing successful projects in Denmark and Thailand that transform waste plastics into high-quality fuel oil, thereby contributing to a circular economy [654ba727].
The forum also set the stage for high-level discussions on methane emissions, with Podesta meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing to plan a summit on reducing methane and other non-CO2 gas emissions at the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan in November [1c780e52].
During these discussions, Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, urged the U.S. not to let national security concerns hinder climate cooperation. He reiterated the necessity for both nations, as leading greenhouse gas emitters, to work together towards their climate goals—China aiming for carbon neutrality by 2060 and the U.S. targeting 100% clean electricity by 2035 [5a6f7dab].
In a notable announcement, Sue Biniaz, the U.S. State Department’s Principal Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, revealed that the U.S., Azerbaijan, and China will jointly host an event at COP29 focusing on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which deals with market mechanisms and emissions trading. Biniaz emphasized the importance of high-integrity carbon markets and the U.S.'s commitment to supporting Azerbaijan's green energy initiatives, including the Green Energy Corridor project [34c476fb].
The U.S. has also introduced new actions to cut industrial nitrous oxide emissions, aiming to halve them from 2020 levels by early 2025. Both countries, which account for around 80% of global industrial nitrous oxide emissions, are set to host a second summit on methane and non-CO2 greenhouse gases in November, reinforcing their commitment to tackling climate change [0d911280].
Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as the U.S. raising tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, which China criticizes as protectionist. This tension complicates the climate cooperation narrative established at the summit between the leaders of both nations [e2843411].
In a broader context, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE to discuss climate cooperation, including participation in the Net-Zero Producers Forum, which aims to promote clean energy deployment and emission reductions [56981840]. The ongoing engagement between the U.S. and China in climate cooperation is crucial for addressing global challenges and fostering a more sustainable future [c219602e].