In a surprising evolution at COP26 , the US and China have announced they are team up up to harness the clime crisis together .

As thetwo biggest global emittersof greenhouse gas emission , the   accord has been get a line as a welcome move by many . Given the simmeringgeopolitical tensionsbetween the two superpowers , the concord has come as a pleasant surprise . Nevertheless , some have warned that the pair need to now “ walk the talk ” and keep on to force for further action .

Theframework agreementwas announced on Wednesday by US special presidential climate envoy John Kerry and China ’s extra climate minister plenipotentiary Xie Zhenhua at the COP26 clime talks in Glasgow . The crux of the agreement date the two countries wassail to boost their efforts to reduce expelling , adjoin away from fossil fuels , and increase clime action in the 2020s with the ultimate goal of keep back global temperature rise up to 1.5 ° C above pre - industrial level .

Together , they aim to maximize " the social benefits of the sporty energy transition ” and deliver carbon seizure technology to actively hit greenhouse gas from the atmosphere . Part of the correspondence also acknowledged that more needs to be done to eliminate global illegal deforestation and the forbiddance of illegal implication .

Theongoing climate conferencein Glasgow has already get some critique for not being ambitious or urgent enough , specially in regardsto the shorter - full term efforts that are urgently needed . Reassuringly , this new joint agreement does advertise for enhanced actions in the 2020s . However , many vault stay on . Not only will both governing look resistivity to the plans in their own countries , but they also must bear on the promises . Some have also contend that their pledges , while welcome , still do not go far enough .

“ The mood crisis will only be figure out if the US and China move toward the same end of bringing emissions down in line with a 1.5 ° C flight as a matter of urgency , ” Jennifer Morgan , Greenpeace International Executive Director , said in astatement .

“ Their statement recognises that the 1.5 ° deoxycytidine monophosphate goal is at the fondness of any credible clime design and they cast the 2020s as thedecade where we need to see tangible action . Those things count , especially from these two countries . But in the end their statement fall poor of the call by the mood - vulnerable countries postulate that nations occur back to the mesa every year with greater dream until the 1.5 ° C interruption is shut , ” continued   Morgan .

Belinda   Schäpe , an   EU - China Climate Diplomacy Researcher at the climate think tank E3 G ,   told IFLScience :   " It is a welcome political signal that both countries recognise the urging of the climate crisis in the declaration and commit to join forces on this return despite their tense bilaterally symmetrical relationship . This has the voltage to deliver virtual activity go forward , start from the first meeting planned for the first half - year of 2022 . "

" The resolve also incorporate dedication for cooperation on energy , methane , and deforestation but these do not include any concrete new ambition from either nation , " Schäpe noted . " The US and China must show now that they are serious and perpetrate to the announcements made and support the delivery of a eminent dream upshot in the negotiation and the cover conclusion text . "

This clause has been update with quotes from   Belinda   Schäpe , a investigator at the climate think tank E3G.