Wang Tao
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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.
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.
About the Author
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.
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