U.S.-China Ten-Year Framework for Energy and Environment

U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group and Ten-Year Framework for Energy and Environment Cooperation Meetings

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
March 18, 2014

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A delegation of senior Chinese officials is in Washington March 17-18 for bilateral meetings with Administration officials on climate change and other environmental issues.

Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua of the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission will chair an intersessional meeting of the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) at the State Department. The two sides will assess ongoing collaboration and discuss next steps in advance of this summer’s U.S. - China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED). Established during Secretary Kerry’s first trip to Beijing on April 14, 2013, the CCWG aims to catalyze cooperative efforts to address climate change by the United States and China. CCWG participants will assess progress and discuss next steps on: reducing emissions from heavy-duty and other vehicles; increasing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS); increasing energy efficiency in buildings, industry, and transport; improving greenhouse gas data collection and management; and promoting smart grids. Special Envoy Stern and Vice Chairman Xie will also discuss ongoing cooperation to reach an ambitious global climate change agreement in 2015 as well as ongoing efforts to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Jonathan Elkind, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs, and Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua will co-chair the ninth meeting of the U.S.-China Ten-Year Framework for Energy and Environment Cooperation (TYF) on March 18. Established in June 2008, the TYF facilitates the exchange of information and best practices to foster innovation and develop solutions to challenges in the areas of air, water, wetlands, nature reserve protection, as well as clean and efficient transportation, electricity, and energy efficiency. In addition to our other efforts, subnational-NGO EcoPartnerships contribute to TYF goals. There are currently 20 active EcoPartnerships between U.S. and Chinese organizations, and more will be selected and announced this summer.

U.S. agencies participating in the two meetings include the Departments of State, Agriculture, the Interior, Commerce, Energy, and Transportation, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, the Trade and Development Agency, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Participating agencies for China include the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Energy Administration, Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministries of Finance, Environmental Protection, Science and Technology, and Foreign Affairs.

For additional information regarding the CCWG, please contact Clare Sierawski, SierawskiCS@state.gov. For information regarding the TYF, please contact Steven Fox, OES-PA-DG@state.gov)

ENDS

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