So thaw experiments are going on between the US and China. Relations between the two major powers have not been so bad for decades, but the climate agreement and the announcement of a summit between the two presidents suggest changing gears.

Both countries have agreed to redouble their efforts on climate change. Their agreement, reads a joint statement, calls for “strong climate action in the 1920s” in the Paris Guidelines, even with new strong goals to reduce pollution by 2025. China has promised to follow the US and limit methane. The agreement provides for “concrete and practical” laws on decarbonization, methane emissions reduction, and the fight against deforestation. Both sides recognize that there is a gap between the current effort and the Paris Agreement, so we will jointly strengthen climate action and cooperation in relation to the respective national issues, “said Chinese Representative Xie Zenhua.” We both see the climate challenge as change.

Kerry: “US and China must work together” – The US and China have “differences” on many issues, but cooperate in the fight against climate change other than “they have no other choice” because it is the only way to “get the job done” because “science needs it”. U.S. Ambassador John Kerry told Copy 26 in Glasgow. Kerry’s statement comes shortly after Beijing announced it was launching a joint venture with the United States to combat climate change.

Guterres: “Well, it’s a step in the right direction.” – “I welcome the agreement between China and the United States to work together on the great aspirations of climate change this decade,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tweeted after the joint announcement by Beijing and Washington. The emitters are working to limit the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees and to comply with the Paris Agreement. “Fighting the climate crisis requires international cooperation and solidarity. This is an important step in the right direction.”