MacroscopeUS-China climate cooperation can have huge economic and ecological benefits for the world

Although the US and China are both making significant strides towards carbon-free electricity generation, they could move even faster if they worked together

Beijing and Washington must not let their current political disagreements get in the way of pursuing common interests

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Solar panels are scattered among Sichuan pepper fields in Bijie, in China’s southwestern Guizhou province, on August 16. New research shows China could reach 80 per cent carbon-free electricity as early as 2035 without increasing costs or sacrificing reliability. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:30am, 7 Sep 2022

With provisions to cut US emissions by 40 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, the Inflation Reduction Act has revived US global climate leadership. Since most of these reductions will come from a cleaner electricity sector – which is projected to be 70 to 85 per cent carbon-free by 2030 – the United States will be well positioned to collaborate on decarbonisation of the power sector, starting with China.

True, China has suspended its diplomatic engagement with the US, including on climate issues. And yet, the climate threat is not unlike the threat posed by nuclear proliferation during the Cold War.

The two countries have a shared interest in reducing their fossil fuel “arsenals”. By acting decisively this decade, both can deliver greater economic, health and security benefits for their own populations and the world.

Owing to its reliance on coal, which supplies two-thirds of its electricity, China now emits more greenhouse gases per year than any other country. Its electricity-related emissions alone roughly equal those for the entire US economy.

At the same time, China’s renewable-energy capacity is soaring. In 2020, it added three times more wind and solar capacity than the US did. In just the first half of 2022, it invested another US$100 billion in solar and wind.

Yet China could pivot to clean energy even faster, especially if it is willing to work with the US on cleaning up the electricity sector. New research shows China could reach 80 per cent carbon-free electricity as early as 2035 without increasing costs or sacrificing reliability.