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UN Climate Body Presses On After US Quits, While China Leads With Renewables
🇨🇳 China /Environment & Climate

UN Climate Body Presses On After US Quits, While China Leads With Renewables

From South China Morning Post · (5m ago) English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The UN's climate science body, the IPCC, continues its work despite the US withdrawal from the organization.
  • IPCC chair Jim Skea noted that the US absence has not significantly impacted meetings, with many member states still participating.
  • Skea highlighted China's substantial investment in renewable energy and its role in exporting related technologies globally.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) remains steadfast in its mission, even with the United States choosing to withdraw from the organization. IPCC Chair Jim Skea conveyed a message of resilience, stating that the body's work progresses undeterred. Skea pointed out that the absence of one member nation, even one as significant as the US, does not halt the collective efforts of the 195 member states.

So the US has not been there. It’s one country, more or less.

— Jim SkeaIPCC chair Jim Skea downplaying the impact of the US withdrawal on the organization's meetings.

"So the US has not been there. It’s one country, more or less," Skea remarked, underscoring that the meetings continue and progress is being made. This perspective from the IPCC's leadership suggests a focus on the broader international cooperation that drives climate science, rather than being derailed by individual national decisions.

The meetings are still working, and we are still making progress.

— Jim SkeaIPCC chair Jim Skea affirming that the organization's work continues effectively despite the US absence.

While the IPCC maintains its neutral stance on national actions, Skea couldn't help but observe the significant strides made by China in the renewable energy sector. The sheer scale of renewable energy deployment in China and the global reach of its exported technologies are undeniable. This observation from the head of the UN's climate science body implicitly acknowledges China's pivotal role in the global transition towards cleaner energy sources.

but we can’t help but observe the huge deployment of renewable energy in China.

— Jim SkeaIPCC chair Jim Skea commenting on China's significant advancements in renewable energy.

From a global perspective, the IPCC's continued operation is crucial for synthesizing climate research. The US withdrawal, while noted, does not diminish the urgency or the scientific consensus on climate change. Instead, it highlights the ongoing commitment of the majority of nations and the emerging leadership of countries like China in driving the renewable energy revolution.

Chinese companies are also selling their technologies on the international market.

— Jim SkeaIPCC chair Jim Skea noting China's role in exporting renewable energy technologies globally.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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