Australia-China Climate Change Partnership
In September 2003, Australian and Chinese officials held a workshop in Beijing and agreed on a Joint Declaration on Bilateral Cooperation on Climate Change. This was enhanced in August 2004, when Ministers from both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Activities.
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for cooperation between Australia and China under a number of themes:
- Climate change science, including detection, analysis, prediction, and uncertainty
- Climate change policies and measures
- Climate change impacts and adaptation
- Greenhouse gas inventories and projections
- Technology cooperation
- Capacity building and public awareness
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
At the same time the Memorandum of Understanding was signed, senior officials from both countries agreed an initial six collaborative projects to be developed under the Partnership.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Business Mission to China - October 2006
Australia and China will undertake 11 new joint projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, assist adaptation to climate change, improve coal mine safety and enhance climate change expertise in both countries.
Pursuing Renewable Energy Business with China
Bilateral climate change workshop - September 2004
Australia and China held a second bilateral climate change workshop in Beijing from 13-15 September 2004. The workshop involved a high-level officials' segment, in which Australia and China agreed to explore the development of additional climate-related bilateral projects. These discussions identified a number of areas of common interest for the development of future projects, including renewable energy, coal mine methane, air conditioning and refrigeration, science, and education and training programmes.
The workshop also included two days of discussions involving Australian and Chinese business and industry representatives. This segment enabled Australian and Chinese business and industry representatives opportunities to build connections, share ideas, discuss projects and identify opportunities to work together on initiatives that deliver benefits for their businesses, as well as the environment.
Australian and Chinese government officials met in Beijing in July 2005 to review the progress of existing projects, and set future directions for the Partnership. Officials also agreed to four new projects focusing on renewable energy and agriculture, which are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging Australian businesses to enter the Chinese renewable energy market.
