2023-12-13 18:23:29
China’s special climate envoy, Xie Zhenhua, during a press conference during the United Nations climate summit in Dubai, December 9, 2023. GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP
DECRYPTION – The world’s largest polluter, China nevertheless acts as the voice of developing countries and has weighed in on negotiations to obtain a more ambitious agreement on fossil fuels.
Wednesday morning, a few minutes before the adoption of the final declaration of COP28 in plenary session, the Chinese climate envoy was confident. Big smile and thumbs up, COP veteran Xie Zhenhua knew the deal was over.
In global climate negotiations, China plays a special role. The world’s leading emitter of greenhouse gases, very dependent on coal (which represents nearly 60% of its energy mix), it is also in second place among the nations that have emitted the most since the industrial revolution, behind the United States. . However, she is not « officially » considered historically responsible, and as a member of the Group of 77 + China, the imposing coalition which represents 80% of the world’s population, China acts as the voice of developing countries.
“Cooperative” approach
Thanks to this dual role, Beijing is generally considered a bridge between the North and the South. An intermediary role assured for years…
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