Page 4 - SCBJ-201601&02
P. 4
South China Business Journal
LEADERSHIP At the start of this new year, I’d like to reflect on
the outcome of the 21st UNFCCC Conference of Parties
(COP21) climate change summit which concluded in December, By reaching consensus at COP 21, world leaders secured
the role that Presidents Obama and Xi played to bring it about, the most ambitious global climate agreement in history,
and what it means for the United States and our partners in establishing a long-term, durable global framework to
southern China. reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. For the first time in
history, virtually all 195 participating countries committed to
Last November, President Obama and Chinese President Xi nationally determined climate targets and to report on their
energized the global environmental movement by committing progress using a rigorous, standardized process of review. This
to ambitious goals to combat climate change. Other nations agreement lays the foundation for countries to work together to
followed suit, with each assessing its own capability to put the world on a path to contain global temperature rise and
become a low-carbon economy in order to limit the rise in sets an ambitious vision for the future. This agreement sends a
global temperatures. These goals are known as the Intended strong signal that the global economy is moving towards clean
Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC). energy, and that through innovation and ingenuity, we can
achieve our climate objectives while creating new jobs, raising
Through the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG), the standards of living and lifting millions out of poverty.
United States and China worked together to foster clean
vehicle development, to measure greenhouse gases, to reduce COP21 marked the beginning of a shared commitment to
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a very potent greenhouse gas, cooperate on climate change and to act as good stewards of
and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. the earth. South China can and should play a leading role
Furthermore, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center in helping China meet its INDC goals. Our Consulate will
(CERC) is researching advanced technologies to convert coal- continue to do its part to achieve a cleaner and healthier future
powered energy plants to clean energy facilities. by fostering cooperation between U.S. businesses and Chinese
partners working to realize carbon capture, clean energy, smart
grid technology, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Charles Bennett
Consul General
Consulate General of the United States of America
Guangzhou, China
2
LEADERSHIP At the start of this new year, I’d like to reflect on
the outcome of the 21st UNFCCC Conference of Parties
(COP21) climate change summit which concluded in December, By reaching consensus at COP 21, world leaders secured
the role that Presidents Obama and Xi played to bring it about, the most ambitious global climate agreement in history,
and what it means for the United States and our partners in establishing a long-term, durable global framework to
southern China. reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. For the first time in
history, virtually all 195 participating countries committed to
Last November, President Obama and Chinese President Xi nationally determined climate targets and to report on their
energized the global environmental movement by committing progress using a rigorous, standardized process of review. This
to ambitious goals to combat climate change. Other nations agreement lays the foundation for countries to work together to
followed suit, with each assessing its own capability to put the world on a path to contain global temperature rise and
become a low-carbon economy in order to limit the rise in sets an ambitious vision for the future. This agreement sends a
global temperatures. These goals are known as the Intended strong signal that the global economy is moving towards clean
Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC). energy, and that through innovation and ingenuity, we can
achieve our climate objectives while creating new jobs, raising
Through the Climate Change Working Group (CCWG), the standards of living and lifting millions out of poverty.
United States and China worked together to foster clean
vehicle development, to measure greenhouse gases, to reduce COP21 marked the beginning of a shared commitment to
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a very potent greenhouse gas, cooperate on climate change and to act as good stewards of
and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation. the earth. South China can and should play a leading role
Furthermore, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center in helping China meet its INDC goals. Our Consulate will
(CERC) is researching advanced technologies to convert coal- continue to do its part to achieve a cleaner and healthier future
powered energy plants to clean energy facilities. by fostering cooperation between U.S. businesses and Chinese
partners working to realize carbon capture, clean energy, smart
grid technology, and alternative fuel vehicles.
Charles Bennett
Consul General
Consulate General of the United States of America
Guangzhou, China
2
