Volkswacht Bodensee - France says it has common ground with China on environment

Her trip came ahead of the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC), which is due to start in Nice on June 9, and the COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November.

After the United States again withdrew from the landmark Paris climate agreement once President Donald Trump returned to office in January, France has advocated for the European Union and China to form a united front on environment and climate.

"Points of convergence were clearly felt," Pannier-Runacher told AFP after holding meetings with multiple Chinese officials, including environment minister Huang Runqiu and natural resources minister Guan Zhi'ou.

"Commitment to the Paris Agreement" and "multilateralism" were two such points, she said.

Pannier-Runacher said she was hoping for a joint-statement ahead of the COP30 summit to help give momentum to negotiations.

"At a time when science is doubted by some, when the impact of climate deregulation on our lives is contested (...) it is important for the European Union and China to assume their responsibilities," she said.

Huang told Pannier-Runacher that China would "keep observing the objectives set by the Paris accord and work with all parties to promote positive results" at the COP30 summit, a statement issued by his ministry said.

China is the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases, but has embraced renewable energy sources, electric vehicles and is working to reduce carbon emissions.

It plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2060, and some analysts have speculated that slowing growth and rapid renewable installations mean emissions have already levelled off.

Emissions indeed fell in the first quarter of 2025, an independent think tank said earlier this month.

Pannier-Runacher hailed China's "dynamism," saying all could learn from its "quickness" on adopting renewable energy technologies.

The French minister also said China was a leader in those technologies, and expressed hope it would invest in France and other European countries to create jobs.

T.Suter--VB