US Says It Is Falling Behind China in Climate Change-Related Industries

Ahead of Climate Change Summit, Biden Administration Faces Challenges
Blinken: "Allies Must Also Join Climate Change Efforts"
Biden Expected to Announce New Carbon Emission Reduction Targets

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to present carbon emission reduction targets at the virtual climate change summit scheduled for the 22nd to 23rd. Ahead of the meeting, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is known to urge countries worldwide to participate in climate change measures. Secretary Blinken is also expected to express concerns that China could profit from industries related to climate change response.

According to the Associated Press on the 19th (local time), President Biden's presentation of carbon reduction targets is the highlight of this climate change summit.

According to the report, the U.S. scientific community and environmental organizations argue that the United States must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.

If the 50% reduction target is not presented, it is widely expected that the pledge to prevent the temperature from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius cannot be kept, which could lead to criticism from supporters.

President Biden faces the challenge of balancing between progressives who emphasize active climate change response and Republicans who argue that climate change measures will lead to job losses, as well as inducing cooperation from countries worldwide.

To this end, Secretary of State Blinken is expected to emphasize the participation of allied countries in climate change response and competition with China in his scheduled speech today.

According to the speech summary released by the State Department, Secretary Blinken is expected to say in his climate change-related speech, "Even if the United States reduces its carbon emissions to zero tomorrow, if it cannot address more than 85% of the total carbon emissions produced by other countries, we will lose the fight against the climate crisis."

Secretary Blinken also hinted that the U.S. will respond strongly to countries that take actions to roll back U.S. climate change efforts. He emphasized, "Countries that rely on coal power for electricity generation, invest in new coal-related plants, or allow massive deforestation will receive strong warnings from the United States and its allies."

Secretary Blinken interpreted climate change not only as an environmental issue but also as a matter of industrial competition between nations.

Secretary Blinken pointed out, "We are falling behind China. China is the world's largest exporter of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and electric vehicles. China holds one-third of the world's renewable energy-related patents."

He expressed concern, saying, "If we do not catch up with China now, the United States will lose the opportunity to lead future climate change responses and will also lose countless jobs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.