US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks about climate change at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis April 19, 2021. — Reuters picWASHINGTON, April 20 —The United States will press all nations to reduce reliance on coal, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said yesterday , in an implicit challenge to China as he vowed greater US leadership.
“It’s difficult to imagine the United States winning long-term strategic competition with China if we cannot lead the renewable energy revolution,” Blinken said in a speech in Annapolis, Maryland.While Blinken pointed to China’s lead on solar and other technology, the Asian power is also the world’s largest emitter of carbon blamed for climate change — and by far the biggest user of coal, the dirtiest form of energy.
China, despite a pledge to go carbon neutral by 2060, has moved ahead with coal-powered plants, only modestly increasing ambitions for renewables in its latest five-year development plan. “If we succeed, we will capitalise on the greatest opportunity to create quality jobs in generations; we’ll build a more equitable, healthy, and sustainable society; and we’ll protect this magnificent planet.”
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