Britain’s Energy Minister Visits China to Strengthen Climate and Energy Cooperation
Britain’s Energy Minister Ed Miliband is traveling to Beijing from March 14 to 17 to talk with Chinese officials about climate and energy cooperation. The trip is designed to re-engage China, the world’s biggest carbon emitter and a leading provider of renewable energy equipment, to the economic and environmental benefit of both nations.
Miliband will hold talks with Chinese energy and environment ministers to launch a new format for climate negotiations. The format will feature mutual visits with Chinese counterparts expected to visit London later this year. Top areas of discussion will be carbon capture and storage technology, hydrogen power generation and clean energy partnerships.
Britain’s ambition to shift toward clean energy by 2030 would be highly served by China’s experience with renewable energy infrastructure. Miliband also wants to make his mark on Chinese coal policy, as China remains heavily dependent on it.
Miliband emphasized the need for international cooperation declaring that all major emitters including China need to take action on climate change to safeguard future generations. This visit comes as part of a wider effort by Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration to reboot relations with China, balancing cooperation, competition and pushing back when necessary.
