Editor’s choice
Editor’s choice
The EU-China Summit in Leipzig in September 2020 will gather heads of state at a critical point leading up to the UNFCCC climate change conference in Glasgow. This will be an opportunity for the EU and China to demonstrate leadership and build the momentum required to bring the world on track with the goals of the Paris Agreement and limit climate crises.
European Union (EU)-China summit on February 14, 2012 in Beijing, China. Image: How Hwee Young – Pool/Getty
With the EU now committed to climate neutrality by 2050 and the release of the European Green Deal as part of the implementation plan by President Ursula von der Leyen’s new European Commission, the EU is sending strong signals. But questions remain about the role of China, which is now the country with the world’s largest territorial emissions of greenhouse gases and also has a growing global carbon footprint from investments in carbon-intensive infrastructure abroad.
Could the EU persuade China to join a coalition to lead the way to a path consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement?
Policy instruments such as the emissions trading scheme and now carbon border adjustments proposed in the European Green Deal can have a profound effect on export-dependent economies like China and even provoke retaliatory trade actions. Market forces alone are beginning to squeeze out coal in Europe and countries with large existing carbon-intensive capital investments such as the US and Australia.
How might trade patterns realign and what would be the consequences for China as the world’s primary manufacturer? Will the EU take responsibility for the greenhouse gas emissions generated abroad that are associated with its demand for cheap imported goods?
In this breakfast seminar, Mistra Geopolitics will host researchers and practitioners to explore the role China could play in its commitments to reduce emissions at home and its activities and investments abroad such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
8:00 – 8:30: Light breakfast
8:30 – 9:40: Seminar
9:40 – 10:00: coffee and networking
Join the discussion on whether EU and China cooperation can restore confidence in multilateral climate cooperation after a lack of progress at the 2019 climate change conference in Madrid.
Project / This project aims to critically examine how the dynamics of geopolitics, human security and global environmental change interrelate.
Past event / The European Green Deal presents one of the most ambitions plans for a sustainable green transition. What will be the implications of this strategy?
Other publication / How Brazil–China cooperation can reshape agricultural trade, reduce deforestation risks and drive more sustainable global supply chains.
Past event / Join Trase and the Tropical Forest Alliance to explore how Brazil and China can scale up their collaboration on sustainable trade.
