- E.U. climate commissioner meets China’s envoy ahead of COP28.
- COP28 offers a chance for global climate deals and hosts nearly 200 countries.
The European Union climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra and China’s top climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, will meet in Beijing before the COP28 climate summit. The summit, with nearly 200 countries in attendance, is held from November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, providing a chance for global climate deals. This meeting sets the stage for COP28 agreements, including the potential phase-out of carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
Deals at United Nations climate summits require unanimous agreement, but significant economic powers like China and the E.U. often shape final resolutions. China, the second-largest economy globally, and the E.U., the third, hold substantial influence. The E.U. and U.S. aim for COP28 support to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030 and seek backing from China, considering its openness to the goal with acknowledgement of diverse economic conditions. China leads in renewable energy but is the largest global coal consumer.
The EU, a top climate finance provider, urges COP28 contributions to U.N. climate funds from major emerging economies like China. Labelling itself a developing country, China insists wealthy industrialised nations and major CO2 emitters meet obligations to provide climate funding.