South Africa Says China Could Assume Climate Lead if US Exits
- Debt relief from China could help Africa fund climate action
- South Africa minister George is leading COP mitigation talks
Dion George
Photographer: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photos
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China has an opportunity to lead the global fight against climate change with the US set to tamp down its commitments following the election of Donald Trump as president, South Africa’s environment minister said.
The world’s biggest emitter has faced scathing criticism from the US and developed European nations for not pulling its weight when it comes to stumping up climate finance to help poorer nations adapt to a warming world. China has contended that as a developing nation it’s not responsible for the build up of gases from industrial activities over the last three centuries.