Revived China-US cooperation advances 'inevitable' climate progress

The U.S. and China’s climate pact late on Wednesday changed the dynamics at high-stakes COP26 talks. It was a surprise statement for two powers that have been at odds throughout the meetings and locked for years in geopolitical rivalry. 

If the Carbon Dioxide goals announced by countries are achieved—“a big if,” as they say—the world could halt global heating to 1.8 degrees Celsius above 19th century levels, according to an analysis by the research initiative Climate Action Tracker. The International Energy Agency reached a similar figure.  

These estimate came out before the harder-to-quantify but altogether optimistic news out of Glasgow