Upcoming COP21 Conference in Paris

{
  "authors": [
    "Wang Tao"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Carnegie China"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie China",
  "programAffiliation": "",
  "programs": [],
  "projects": [
    "Carnegie Oil Initiative"
  ],
  "regions": [
    "East Asia",
    "China"
  ],
  "topics": []
}

In The Media

Carnegie China

Upcoming COP21 Conference in Paris

China’s commitment to addressing climate change may help serve as a bridge between the negotiating positions of developed and developing countries.

By Wang Tao

Published on Nov 27, 2015

Source: CCTV America

Speaking on CCTV America, Carnegie–Tsinghua’s Wang Tao asserted that China is playing a constructive role in the Paris COP21 negotiations. A successful outcome will require all participating countries to set ambitious yet attainable emissions targets. Wang predicted that any agreement coming out of Paris would likely have some element of legal force, although he noted that the United States may try to downplay this aspect of the talks to limit Congress’s influence over the proceedings.

Wang pointed out that China may be uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between the two sides’ negotiating positions. He explained that it will cost billions of dollars for countries to respond to climate change and that much of this funding must come from developed countries that have more fiscal resources, although China has also allocated $30 billion.

This interview originally aired on CCTV America.

About the Author

Wang Tao

Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy

Wang Tao was a nonresident scholar in the Energy and Climate Program based at the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy.

Recent Work

Article
Xi’s Global Leadership Ambitions in the Trump Era
- Wang Tao
In The Media
How the Paris Conference Is Driving China’s Gas and Oil Reforms
- Wang Tao, Yang Yifang

East Asia China

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie China

Commentary
China’s Energy Security Doesn’t Run Through Hormuz but Through the Electrification of Everything
Across Asia, China is better positioned to withstand energy shocks from the fallout of the Iran war. Its abundant coal capacity can ensure stability in the near term. Yet at the same time, the country’s energy transition away from coal will make it even less vulnerable during the next shock.

Damien Ma
Commentary
Emissary
The Xi Doctrine Zeros in on “High-Quality Development” for China’s Economic Future
In the latest Five-Year Plan, the Chinese president cements the shift to an innovation-driven economy over a consumption-driven one.
Damien Ma
Commentary
When It Comes to Superpower Geopolitics, Malaysia Is Staunchly Nonpartisan
For Malaysia, the conjunction that works is “and” not “or” when it comes to the United States and China.
Elina Noor
Commentary
ASEAN-China Digital Cooperation: Deeper but Clear-Eyed Engagement
ASEAN needs to determine how to balance perpetuating the benefits of technology cooperation with China while mitigating the risks of getting caught in the crosshairs of U.S.-China gamesmanship.
Elina Noor
Commentary
Neither Comrade nor Ally: Decoding Vietnam’s First Army Drill with China
In July 2025, Vietnam and China held their first joint army drill, a modest but symbolic move reflecting Hanoi’s strategic hedging amid U.S.–China rivalry.
Nguyễn Khắc Giang

More Work from Carnegie China

Commentary

China’s Energy Security Doesn’t Run Through Hormuz but Through the Electrification of Everything

Across Asia, China is better positioned to withstand energy shocks from the fallout of the Iran war. Its abundant coal capacity can ensure stability in the near term. Yet at the same time, the country’s energy transition away from coal will make it even less vulnerable during the next shock.

Damien Ma

Xi walking into a room with people standing and applauding around him

Commentary

Emissary

The Xi Doctrine Zeros in on “High-Quality Development” for China’s Economic Future

In the latest Five-Year Plan, the Chinese president cements the shift to an innovation-driven economy over a consumption-driven one.

Damien Ma

Commentary

When It Comes to Superpower Geopolitics, Malaysia Is Staunchly Nonpartisan

For Malaysia, the conjunction that works is “and” not “or” when it comes to the United States and China.

Elina Noor

Commentary

ASEAN-China Digital Cooperation: Deeper but Clear-Eyed Engagement

ASEAN needs to determine how to balance perpetuating the benefits of technology cooperation with China while mitigating the risks of getting caught in the crosshairs of U.S.-China gamesmanship.

Elina Noor

Commentary

Neither Comrade nor Ally: Decoding Vietnam’s First Army Drill with China

In July 2025, Vietnam and China held their first joint army drill, a modest but symbolic move reflecting Hanoi’s strategic hedging amid U.S.–China rivalry.

Nguyễn Khắc Giang