Climate Summit: China to take action on emissions
US and China 'embrace' their responsibility to combat the global effects of climate change
China has pledged to take firm action on climate change for the first time, promising to bring its greenhouse gas emissions under control as soon as possible.
Addressing the UN at yesterday's Climate Summit, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli said that China will "make greater effort to more effectively address climate change".
President Barack Obama said that the US and China had a responsibility to lead the way in the battle against climate change. "We recognise our role in creating this problem [and] we embrace our responsibility to combat it," he told over 100 heads of state gathered in New York.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We are the first generation to feel the impacts of climate change and the last generation that can do anything about it," he warned.
Attitudes towards cutting carbon emissions are changing in China as the harmful effects of it are being felt at home, Greenpeace's Li Shuo told the Guardian. "Domestic air pollution is forcing the country to embark on a new path away from coal and 2014 saw the lowest coal consumption growth in a decade," he said.
In the US, Obama faces strong opposition in Congress on the issue of climate change. He is "eager to leave an environmental legacy," writes the BBC's environmental correspondent Matt McGrath, but some in Congress are "unwilling to curtail greenhouse gas emissions, or ratify an international agreement."
Other countries also outlined commitments they had made, with David Cameron telling the summit he had fulfilled his promise to run the "greenest government ever". The largest financial pledge was made by French president Francois Hollande, who promised to contribute $1 billion to a climate fund which would help poorer countries deal with the effects of rising temperatures.
While the comments from Obama and Zhang were welcomed by most, others remained sceptical. Jeffrey Sachs, an economist and advisor to UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon told the BBC: "This meeting [by itself] will not solve the problems. This meeting is to raise awareness."
"Our governments do not take care of the future, they're short-term, short-sighted," he added.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published