Climate cooperation
SHANGHAI: Cooperation between Europe and China on reducing climatewarming emissions will be ‘‘decisive’’, French President Emmanuel Macron said yesterday, after the Trump Administration filed paperwork to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.
The US move is the first formal step in a oneyear process to exit the global pact to fight climate change, part of a broader strategy by Trump to reduce red tape on American industry.
But it comes at a time scientists and many world governments are urging rapid action to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
China and France pledged at this year’s G20 summit to ‘‘update’’ their contributions against climate change beyond their present ones to reflect ‘‘their highest possible ambition’’.
The 2015 Paris climate agreement encourages countries to make stronger pledges if they are able to do so.
Speaking in Shanghai at a major trade fair, just after a keynote address by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Macron said commitments would have to be enhanced.
‘‘If we want to be in compliance with the Paris Agreement, we will need next year to enhance our commitments to reduce emissions, and we must confirm new commitments for 2030 and 2050,’’ he said.
‘‘The cooperation between China and the European Union in this respect is decisive.’’
Earlier, a French presidential office official expressed regret at the US move, and said Macron and Xi would reaffirm their commitment to the Paris Agreement. — Reuters