Ed Miliband’s Visit to Beijing Aims to Strengthen Global Efforts in the Fight Against Climate Change

The UK is actively working towards building a global coalition alongside China and a number of developing nations, aiming to offset the detrimental effects of Donald Trump’s withdrawal from climate-friendly policies and his support for climate-damaging countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia.

During his three-day visit to Beijing, UK Energy and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband is set to engage with Chinese officials on key issues such as green technology, coal, and the vital minerals needed for clean energy. As the UK’s green economy continues to grow at a rate three times faster than the rest of the economy, access to these crucial materials is becoming increasingly important.

Miliband, who is pushing for global collaboration, stated: “We can only protect future generations from the impacts of climate change if all major emitters take responsibility. Not engaging China on this issue would be a gross neglect of our obligations to present and future generations.”

He further emphasised in The Guardian: “Focusing on domestic climate action without encouraging other major economies to contribute would not ensure a safe future. Our efforts to protect citizens – from farmers to pensioners to children – will only succeed if we secure global cooperation.”

Despite facing tariffs from the US, China continues to be a leader in the export of low-carbon products like electric vehicles and solar panels, but its ongoing reliance on coal raises questions about the nation’s future emissions trajectory. The current status of China’s carbon output could largely depend on how the country responds to the ongoing trade dispute with the US, led by Trump’s policies.

Experts believe that the key to preventing climate breakdown is the formation of a strong pro-climate coalition involving China, the EU, the UK, and other major economies. This would serve to counterbalance the influence of fossil fuel-dependent nations like the US, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

Miliband’s trip marks the first visit to Beijing by a UK energy secretary in eight years. In recent months, he has also visited India and Brazil to foster international climate cooperation, holding numerous discussions with ministers from developing nations at the COP29 summit.

Catherine Abreu, director of the International Climate Politics Hub, noted, “China’s involvement is crucial to fulfilling the Paris Agreement. There is a growing openness from China to collaborate with Europe, Canada, and the UK on advancing climate action.”

However, the outlook for a global agreement on stringent emissions cuts remains uncertain. With the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil set against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, countries are under increasing pressure to strengthen their climate pledges. While the UK has already submitted its emissions targets for the next decade, China’s climate plan is expected closer to the COP30 conference and is likely to face scrutiny, as its current targets fall short of the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement.

According to Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Miliband may need to reassess the UK’s green economy strategy, considering China’s dominance in the low-carbon technology sector. “The economic reality is that all countries are eager to capture a share of the green market, but China’s market power cannot be overlooked,” Shuo said.