The strategic partnerships on climate change in asia-pacific context: Dynamics of Sino-U.S. cooperation

Abstract

It has been argued that U.S. and Chinese policies vis-à-vis the environment, are important factors in the recent stagnation of international cooperation on climate change. That notwithstanding, Sino-U.S. cooperation on matters affecting climate change, exemplified by such matters as the signature on the U.S.-China Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Climate Change, Energy and the Environment, has been broadened and deepened to a considerable level in recent years. This chapter argues that the cooperative progress between the U.S. and China on climate change has come about because the two countries have shifted their positions and are now treating climate change as a strategic issue which affects their vital interests. As a result, they are more willing to cooperate strategically with each other through bilateral dialogue and programs on innovation and technology transfer. Furthermore, the chapter contends that this viewpoint has been influenced by the publication of documents which identify how climate change is likely to pose a severe challenge to a country’s economic, social, or political stability.