ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

US and China Announce Big Plans at UNGA to Combat Climate Change

Biden declared a doubling of aid to poor nations and Xi said that China would not fund coal-fired projects abroad.

Published
World
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, 21 September, United States President Joe Biden and China President Xi Jinping made separate commitments to tackle climate change, a global issue that UN Secretary General António Guterres calls an existential struggle.

US to Help Poorer Countries in Tackling 'Borderless Climate Crisis' 

President Biden pledged to increase financial aid to poor countries to $11.4 billion so that they could shift to clean energy and cope with floods and other consequences of climate change.
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Reminding the assembly about the “widespread death and devastation” brought about by the “borderless climate crisis”, Biden warned that the world is “approaching the point of no return in a literal sense”, The Guardian reported.

0

China to Not Build New Coal-Fired Power Projects Abroad

On the other hand, Xi Jinping surprised observers by promising in a pre-recorded video message that the People’s Republic of China shall “step up support for other developing countries in developing green and low-carbon energy and will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad.”

China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world.
ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

The President of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), Alok Sharma, welcomed Jinping’s commitment, while the US Envoy for Climate John Kerry said in a statement that he was absolutely delighted about China’s decision.

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

’Fancy Speeches’?

However, climate campaigners like Greta Thunberg were not too impressed by the commitments of the world’s largest and second largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Thunberg in a tweet dismissed these promises as “fancy speeches.”

ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Richer nations are yet to abide by their promise of contributing $100 billion dollars in climate aid to developing countries, providing only $79.6 billion in 2019, Reuters reported.

(With inputs from Reuters and The Guardian)

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and world

Topics:   China   Climate Change   United Nations 

Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×