A European Union (EU) charged China’s leadership in ambitious climate actions on Sunday (13).
According to the EU commissioner for the climate, Wopke Hoekstrait is essential to cut emissions of gas that heat the planet, reducing the dependence of the Chinese economy in relation to coal.
Hoekstra is in Beijing For high -level discussions with Chinese authorities on environmental and climate issues. The European Union also aims to encourage China to interrupt the construction of new coal -powered electric plants and to gradually eliminate the use of fossil fuel.
“We encourage China to take a leadership role in the future and really start to get out of coal dominion,” Hoekstra said in an interview with Reuters.
The number of coal mills under construction has increased in China – the largest effect of effect gases Greenhouse from the world, according to the World Economic Forum.
In the first three months of this year, China approved 11.29 Gigawatts (GW) of new coal power plants, exceeding the approval rate in the first half of 2024, according to a Greenpeace report.
Last week, Hoekstra told Financial Times that the EU was postponing the signing of a joint with China, unless Beijing committed more to reducing emissions.
“We are open to analyze a possible statement, but … What is most important in this type of statement is the content it contains,” he said when asked about it, without specifying what commitment the EU expects to see from China.
Hoekstra said the EU is interested in seeking cooperation areas with China before the UN climate conference, which will be held in Brazil in November.
