Japan, their combined energy consumption and CO 2 emission are estimated to
decrease by over 50%. Therefore, given the capital and technological capabilities
and emissions reduction responsibilities, China, the USA, and Japan should collaborate to tackle climate change.
Most of the previous actions aim at creating a low-carbon, sustainable, and
vigorous society, instead of merely tackling climate change at the expense of the
quality of life for human beings. As such, society aims to strike a balance between
economy, environment, and the people that comprise this society. If the three
countries were to cooperate in areas such as energy technology, energy mixes, and
industrial structures, two problems may be addressed with one strategic and collaborative approach.
From a global perspective, the tripartite cooperation could significantly reduce
CO 2 emissions. At the country scale, it will improve the energy mix, energy
sustainability, and industrial structure, to enhance energy efficiency, reduce hazardous events such as acid rain, and improve the livelihood of communities. Regardless
of global warming, this is the ideal situation that human society should be pursuing.
An important point to note is that although the USA has withdrawn from the
Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, we may identify the country’s
two-sidedness in this regard. Up until 2010, the USA was the world’s largest per
capita emitter of CO 2 ; as such, the country has a greater responsibility as well as a
greater capacity than any other nation attempting to address climate change.
Addressing climate change involves two possible approaches: reducing and
stabilizing levels of heat-trapping GHGs in the atmosphere (mitigation) and/or
adapting to the climate change that is already occurring (adaptation). Although the
USA acts passively on mitigation measures such as reducing CO 2 emissions, it
attaches great significance to the research and development of adaptation-related
technologies, with enormous capital and talent input.
This duality is also manifested by the different approaches taken by the US
federal government and state governments on mitigation policies. While the federal
government has disregarded the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, some
states, such as California and New Mexico, are proactively implementing emissionsreduction measures and making commitments in this regard. Therefore, to return the
USA back to the negotiating table is of utmost significance to promote the coordinated development of mitigation measures and economic growth. This is also a very
important task for China and Japan when dealing with climate change.
In a nutshell, China, Japan, and the USA should establish a community in
tackling climate change via bilateral, multilateral, and third-party cooperation on
green financing, technology transfer, capacity improvement, and emissions trading.
Although climate change has different impacts on different countries, no country can
walk away from this battle unscathed. Despite political, military, economic, and
trade conflicts, China, the USA and Japan should forge a community with a shared
future with aims to cope with the climate change, particularly given the shared
benefits, responsibilities, and risks. The USA was the driving force underpinning
postwar globalization and the architect of international order; it has also been the
410
W. Zhou
decrease by over 50%. Therefore, given the capital and technological capabilities
and emissions reduction responsibilities, China, the USA, and Japan should collaborate to tackle climate change.
Most of the previous actions aim at creating a low-carbon, sustainable, and
vigorous society, instead of merely tackling climate change at the expense of the
quality of life for human beings. As such, society aims to strike a balance between
economy, environment, and the people that comprise this society. If the three
countries were to cooperate in areas such as energy technology, energy mixes, and
industrial structures, two problems may be addressed with one strategic and collaborative approach.
From a global perspective, the tripartite cooperation could significantly reduce
CO 2 emissions. At the country scale, it will improve the energy mix, energy
sustainability, and industrial structure, to enhance energy efficiency, reduce hazardous events such as acid rain, and improve the livelihood of communities. Regardless
of global warming, this is the ideal situation that human society should be pursuing.
An important point to note is that although the USA has withdrawn from the
Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, we may identify the country’s
two-sidedness in this regard. Up until 2010, the USA was the world’s largest per
capita emitter of CO 2 ; as such, the country has a greater responsibility as well as a
greater capacity than any other nation attempting to address climate change.
Addressing climate change involves two possible approaches: reducing and
stabilizing levels of heat-trapping GHGs in the atmosphere (mitigation) and/or
adapting to the climate change that is already occurring (adaptation). Although the
USA acts passively on mitigation measures such as reducing CO 2 emissions, it
attaches great significance to the research and development of adaptation-related
technologies, with enormous capital and talent input.
This duality is also manifested by the different approaches taken by the US
federal government and state governments on mitigation policies. While the federal
government has disregarded the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, some
states, such as California and New Mexico, are proactively implementing emissionsreduction measures and making commitments in this regard. Therefore, to return the
USA back to the negotiating table is of utmost significance to promote the coordinated development of mitigation measures and economic growth. This is also a very
important task for China and Japan when dealing with climate change.
In a nutshell, China, Japan, and the USA should establish a community in
tackling climate change via bilateral, multilateral, and third-party cooperation on
green financing, technology transfer, capacity improvement, and emissions trading.
Although climate change has different impacts on different countries, no country can
walk away from this battle unscathed. Despite political, military, economic, and
trade conflicts, China, the USA and Japan should forge a community with a shared
future with aims to cope with the climate change, particularly given the shared
benefits, responsibilities, and risks. The USA was the driving force underpinning
postwar globalization and the architect of international order; it has also been the
410
W. Zhou