China’s former climate envoy to meet with EU to revive flailing UN pact

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Chinese Climate Envoy Xie Zhenhua attending a press conference at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec 13, 2023.

PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON/BEIJING - Chinas former veteran climate envoy, who previously secured two pivotal climate agreements with the United States, will meet with the EUs top green transition official on Sept 16 to resuscitate flailing international climate negotiations ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil, three sources told Reuters.

Mr Xie Zhenhua, who

retired at the end of COP28 climate talks

He will urge the EU to announce more ambitious climate goals and coordinate joint diplomatic efforts ahead of a preliminary climate meeting at UN headquarters on Sept 24.

The meeting is meant to give a boost to the COP30 climate summit that will begin in November in Belem, Brazil, two sources familiar with the meeting told Reuters. The summit is facing potentially low attendance due to the shortage and cost of hotel rooms as well as the withdrawal of the worlds largest emitter, the United States, from the negotiating process.

Three sources said Mr Xie will meet with Mr Ribera, who he has known for a long time, but they could not confirm whether the meeting will be official or yield a joint statement or agreement.

Two of the sources said ecology minister Huang Runqiu will also attend the