Addressing climate change in post-COVID world: implications of China-Us tensions on climate politics

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has implications for climate politics. Carbon emissions from states are expected to increase rapidly when the states strive to maximize their production in a post-pandemic world. The two countries that are crucial in combating climate change are China and the US, which are respectively the first and second-largest carbon emitters in the world. Nevertheless, the growing tensions between these two countries on several issues are hindering the climate cooperation and the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement. The objective of this article is to explore the evolution of climate change debate between China and the US and to analyse the factors that are likely to shape the climate responses of these two countries in the future. This article argues that without forging cooperation between China and the US combating climate change would be very difficult. This article analyses that China is unlikely to stick on to its Paris emission reduction commitments without the US re-engagement with the Paris Agreement. This article has employed a qualitative methodology in carrying out research collecting data from the primary and secondary sources.