China, India Back Global Climate Deal

Climate Change, Anthropocene, & Associated Issues

Date posted: 05/20/15

China and India issued a statement underscoring the importance of working together and with other countries to conclude an ambitious, comprehensive, universal, balanced and equitable climate agreement in Paris later this year. Both countries are looking to nuclear energy as one means of reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. China and India together account for the majority of planned new reactors, as well as those under construction. In addition to 26 units already in operation, China has 24 reactors under construction and has plans to build more than 40 others. India has 21 operating reactors, six under construction and plans for a further 35 units. A joint statement on climate change was released on 15 May during a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to China where he met Chinese premier Li Keqiang. India and China recognize that climate change and its adverse effects are the common concern of mankind and one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century, which needs to be addressed through international cooperation in the context of sustainable development, the statement said. The two countries signed a cooperation agreement on addressing climate change in 2009 and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation on green technologies in 2010. According to last week statement, they will further promote bilateral partnership on climate change and enhance the role of this partnership in their overall strategic cooperation partnership through the implementation of this joint statement and the MOU as well as the agreement.