China Mulls Bid to Host 2028 UN Climate Talks: Sources

China is weighing a bid to host the 2028 United Nations climate summit, known as COP33, two sources familiar with the matter told AFP. This potential move comes as Beijing seeks to bolster its image as a leader in combating global warming.

The final decision has not yet been made, and there is no clear timeline for when it might occur. The UN climate gatherings rotate among regional blocs, and the 2028 summit is designated for the Asia-Pacific region. India previously withdrew its offer to host COP33 without providing a specific reason, and South Korea has also expressed interest.

Hosting the summit could offer China a platform to enhance its credentials as a climate leader, particularly given its significant economic interest in exporting green technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles. It could also serve as an opportunity to foster renewed climate cooperation with the United States, especially if a Democratic president is elected in 2028, potentially coinciding with the summit shortly after the US presidential election.

However, hosting the event would also place China under intense scrutiny. As the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, its own environmental policies and commitments, including a pledge for carbon neutrality before 2060 and a modest emissions reduction target for 2035, would be closely examined. The dynamics between the US and China, historically a source of both progress and tension in climate negotiations, remain a significant factor in the broader relationship.

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We have not been informed by the Asia-Pacific Regional Group on the nomination of the host country for COP33.