Focus on Arts and Ecology

The surprise deal between China and the U.S. at the COP26 summit appears to have provided a catalyst for climate negotiations in Glasgow as the deadline approaches for an agreement at the summit.

The two nations have pledged to work together to combat climate change. And while the agreement is light when it comes to firm targets, it has encouraged negotiations at the summit – which environmentalists had previously criticized for not going far enough to keep global warming to a minimum.

Here's what the deal entails: 

• Observe the Paris climate agreement to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5  to two degrees Celsius
• Accelerate green and carbon emission reduction by jointly working with other countries
• Consensus on climate finance and Paris nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
• Maintain policy dialogue on renewable energy in an effort to reduce coal firepower.

Hailed by the world, climate change cooperation is seen as the right choice for the two nations. 

A critical juncture in U.S. - China relations 

As confirmed by the White House, all eyes next week on the first-ever meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden is due to take place on November 15, 2021.  

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in October that the two countries had discussed holding a video summit between their leaders by the end of the year, following a meeting between senior Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi and American National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in Zurich.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said China-U.S. relations are at a critical historical juncture and called on the two sides to bring bilateral relations back on the right track of sound and steady development.  

Catching up on the climate headlines this week:

• Nations are preparing to agree on a final statement as the summit heads into its final hours on Friday. A new draft statement calls for more ambitious plans to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. But it also attempts to meet the demands of both developing and richer nations
• One of China's top negotiators at the COP26 talks has warned against efforts to set a lower target for global temperature rises, saying it is important to stick with the science and rules set under the Paris Agreement
• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned that climate pledges by governments were "hollow" unless they firmly resolved to end the use of fossil fuels and cut investments in them
• How is climate change disproportionately affecting women? Find out here. 
• Vulnerable countries could need trillions of dollars to deal with the consequences of climate change – way above the $100 billion that is already promised to them by richer nations

Do you know the difference between Carbon neutral and climate neutral? Some of the common words used to describe environmental challenges can be confusing and knowing the terms will help you reduce your carbon footprint. 

The COP26 summit in Glasglow, Scotland, is coming to an end. Where will the COPs go to next?

*DRUMROLL* It's Egypt! 

Egypt will host the next UN climate summit in 2022 at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The country's Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said Egypt's priorities are "climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage" at COP27.