Strengthening Climate Change Cooperation between China and India: Significance and Cooperation Areas

Abstract

In international climate negotiations, China and India are both members of the BASIC countries and Like Minded Group of Developing Countries (LMDC). In recent years, due to the different development levels, the two countries have differed in issues such as willingness to reduce emissions, peak emissions and funding. China tends to engage in international climate governance with a more proactive approach, while India, constrained by its development level, has continued to emphasize the traditional stance of a developing country. Although differences between the two sides on some issues have not yet led to the collapse of China–India climate cooperation, more efforts need to be made to further analyze and define the pursuits of both sides, future trends in their cooperation and priority areas for collaboration. In the authors’ opinion, the two countries still have common ground in seeking further socio-economic development and getting emission allowances, which will serve as the foundation for future climate cooperation. Strengthening the cooperation between China and India on climate change will not only help unite developing countries to fight for and safeguard their rights to equitable development, but also enhance the cooperative actions and bilateral ties between the two countries. Moreover, the cooperation may as well work as a potential platform where China can disseminate the idea of ecological civilization and promote the shift towards a green and low-carbon development model. In the post-Paris Agreement era, China should maintain and advance its cooperation with India on climate change, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms and launch pragmatic cooperation programs in regard to equitable development, the utilization of renewable resources and research on ecological civilization.