Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and professor at Columbia University, has emphasized the urgent need for stronger cooperation between the United States and China on climate change. Speaking in the context of the upcoming COP28 negotiations, Sachs highlighted the challenges facing global climate efforts, particularly the lack of an adequate political framework in the U.S. to address climate issues effectively.
Sachs noted the recent warming of relations between the U.S. and China, as evidenced by the resumption of climate dialogues following the leaders’ summit in San Francisco. However, he expressed concern that the U.S. continues to pursue policies that undermine cooperation, calling them “irresponsible anti-China policies.” He urged the two nations to end the trade and technology war and to establish technical teams to work jointly on a common strategy for decarbonization and an agreed timeline.
“The United States is still pursuing lots of irresponsible anti-China policies. I really blame the United States for these tensions,” Sachs said. “We need to end the trade and technology war with China, and then sit down not just one or two people, but actually technical teams that work on a common strategy for decarbonization, an agreed timeline.”
Sachs criticized the powerful influence of the fossil fuel sector in the U.S., which he believes hinders the development of clear and effective public policies on climate change. He observed that both the Republican and Democratic parties are influenced by coal, oil, and gas lobbies, leading to a lack of clarity in national plans and strategies.
“In the United States, we don’t have a political framework that’s adequate for this. We still have a powerful fossil fuel sector,” he stated. “This means that we don’t have real clarity of our public policies.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, Sachs expressed hope that regardless of the outcome, serious collaboration between the U.S. and China could continue at a technical level. He emphasized the importance of scientists and engineers from both countries working together, despite political challenges.
“I’m hoping that no matter what happens in the elections, that serious people in the U.S. and China, the top scientists, the top engineers, can work together and find a solution,” Sachs said. “This is too serious to play games, and this is too serious for the lobbies. We really need to have a joint program.”
Sachs called for an end to U.S. policies that have led to tensions with China, stating that the reasons for conflicts “came from the United States side” and “make no sense.” He stressed that the common interests of both nations are strong, especially in addressing the global climate crisis.
