A swan floats as the early morning sun shines on the River Clyde and the venue for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland Britain, November 10, 2021. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
A swan floats as the early morning sun shines on the River Clyde and the venue for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland Britain, November 10, 2021. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

U.S. and China unveil deal to ramp up cooperation on climate change

The United States and China, the world's two largest emitters of carbon dioxide, unveiled a deal to ramp up cooperation tackling climate change, including by reducing methane emissions, protecting forests and phasing out coal. The framework agreement was announced by U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua at the U.N. climate conference in Scotland, and was billed by both as way to tip the summit toward success. "Together we set out our support for a successful COP26, including certain elements which will promote ambition," Kerry told a news conference. "Every step matters right now, and we have a long journey ahead of us." Speaking through an interpreter, Xie told reporters that the deal would see China strengthen its emissions-cutting targets and develop a national plan on methane. He also said both countries wanted to do more to stop deforestation.

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