China mulls bid to host 2028 UN climate talks: sources

China is considering a bid to host the UN climate talks in 2028, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This move aims to enhance China's image as a champion in the battle against global warming. The United Nations climate summit, known as COP33, would take place in Geneva, Switzerland. Beijing has yet to make a final decision on the proposal, and there is no clear timeline for a decision.

The UN's annual climate summits rotate among regions, with this year's COP31 in Turkey and COP32 in Ethiopia in 2027, both falling outside the Asia-Pacific region. India's previous offer to host COP33 was withdrawn without explanation. South Korea has shown interest in the role. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet commented on the matter.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat has not been informed of China's potential nomination. In recent years, China has sought to position itself as a counterbalance to the United States, which under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement twice while promoting fossil fuels.

Hosting UN climate negotiations could provide China with an opportunity to enhance its standing as a climate leader. As the world's second-largest economy and a major exporter of green technologies, China stands to benefit economically from the event. However, hosting the summit could also draw attention to China's significant greenhouse gas emissions, despite its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2060.

A modest 7-10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to the peak levels, would still fall short of global ambitions. China is also weighing the US-China dynamic, as climate cooperation played a crucial role in the bilateral relationship under former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. The summit would likely take place shortly after the US presidential election to replace Trump, which falls in November 2028.

The US-China relationship has historically been a mix of cooperation and tension, and this will likely continue regardless of the outcome of the next election, according to Alden Meyer of the climate change think tank E3G.