U.S., China ink coal, clean energy deals but climate differences remain

(Reuters, 9 Jul 2014) The United States and China on Tuesday signed eight partnership pacts to cut greenhouse gases that will bring the world's two biggest carbon emitters closer together on climate policy, but fundamental differences between the two sides remain.

Consensus between the United States and China will be a crucial part of any new global climate pact to replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, but they have long struggled to come to an agreement on how the costs of cutting greenhouse gases should be distributed among rich and poor nations.

Speaking in Beijing during the latest round of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday that the two sides remained committed to "close dialogue" on climate change negotiations.

"The significance of these two nations coming together can't be understated.  We are working hard to find a solution together that can have an impact on the rest of the world."

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Reuters, 9 Jul 2014: U.S., China ink coal, clean energy deals but climate differences remain