The global climate COP26 in 2021 ended on a surprisingly high note with the United States and China signing a joint Climate Declaration. Yet as political tensions rose, US-China climate talks stalled. Over the past two years both countries have been taking steps to independently accelerate their climate action at home and overseas.  

At this CEF meeting, panelists will unpack some of China’s progress or slippage in climate action since 2021, with some comparison to trends in the United States. Lili Pike (Freelance Writer) will discuss the impact of deteriorating US-China relations on climate action in both countries. Drawing on her reporting on the electric vehicle and battery industries, she will talk about the meteoric rise of China's EV industry and the trade-offs the US is making between competing with China in the EV space and cutting emissions. Kyle Obermann (Environmental Photographer) will highlight insights from his US-China Journey to Net Zero documentary. He will also discuss China’s expanding nature-based climate solutions through national park planning and wild-land protection.