EU, China unite behind Paris climate deal despite Trump withdrawal

European Union leaders and China vowed on Thursday to push forward with the Paris Agreement on climate change despite US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the landmark accord.

In triggering the official withdrawal procedures, Mr Trump will spark a lengthy process that won’t conclude until November 2020 -the same month he’s up for re-election, ensuring the issue becomes a major topic of debate in the next presidential contest.

Such a move would be a major break from international partners that would isolate the US in efforts to curb global warming.

EU and Chinese leaders have banded together in an unusual alliance that emphasises the absence of the US - the world’s second biggest emitter of carbon dioxide after China - from the playing field. Miguel Arias Cañete, EU Commissioner on Climate Action and energy, told CNN in a statement that the two powers “are joining forces to forge ahead on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and accelerate the global transition to clean energy.”

“No one should be left behind, but the EU and China have decided to move forward. Our successful cooperation on issues like emissions trading and clean technologies are bearing fruit. Now is the time to further strengthen these ties to keep the wheels turning for ambitious global climate action.” The two spell out their continued commitment to the deal in a draft joint statement, obtained by CNN, which is slated to be published today at an EU-China summit. “The EU and China consider climate action and the clean energy transition an imperative more important than ever,” the draft statement says, and “commit to significantly intensify their political, technical, economic and scientific co-operation on climate change and clean energy.”

The powers also “underline that tackling climate change and reforming our energy systems are significant drivers of job creation, investment opportunities and economic growth,” according to the draft statement, which also emphasises the importance of international collaboration in curbing global warming. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Thursday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said his country had “stayed true to its commitment” in fighting climate change over the past few years, including “promoting the signing of the Paris Agreement.”

Mr Li said: “Fighting climate change is a global consensus, not invented by China,” an apparent reference to a tweet Trump once made on the subject.