China affirmed its place in the Paris Accord on climate change Thursday as leaders around the world prepare for a decision from President Donald Trump on U.S. involvement in the global pact to reduce greenhouse emissions.
The confirmation comes amid reports that China and Europe will announce a joint effort on clean energy transition later this week in Brussels as both the political and environmental ground shifts between global leaders and officials in Washington.
"Climate change is a global challenge. No county can place itself outside of this," a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said. "We will continue to resolutely be a protector and promoter of the global climate system process, proactively participating in the multilateral climate change process."
Earlier Thursday, European Council President Donald Tusk urged Trump in a Tweet from his verified social media account to remain withing the Accord, which was signed by his predecessor, Barack Obama, in 2015, and includes the signatures of 195 other nations around the world.
The Paris Accord aims to not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also limit the pace of global warming to "well below" 3.6 degree Fahrenheit. Trump has repeatedly referred to climate change as a "hoax" designed to place undue regulatory burdens on American industry and vowed to "cancel" the agreement within his first 100 days in office.
