U.S. and China unveil emissions deal in bid to save UN climate talks

THE United States and China, the world’s two largest emitters of carbon dioxide, unveiled a deal to ramp up cooperation tackling climate change, including by cutting methane emissions, phasing out coal consumption and protecting forests.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua announced the framework agreement at the U.N. climate conference in Scotland. Both billed it as way to tip the summit toward success.

Earlier, the head of the United Nations conference noted that climate commitments so far in the talks would do too little to tame global warming and urged countries to “get to work” over the remaining two days.

“Together we set out our support for a successful COP26, including certain elements which will promote ambition,” Kerry told a news conference about the deal between Washington and Beijing. “Every step matters right now and we have a long journey ahead of us.”

Speaking through