UK Energy Minister to Visit China for Climate Talks

Miliband, who is the third member of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet to visit China, will participate in a series of meetings, concluding on Monday. He plans to urge China to take continued action in addressing the climate emergency, as outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement.

In an op-ed for The Guardian, Miliband emphasized the importance of engaging China, which is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, to meet global climate goals. He also criticized former US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the agreement, which seeks to limit global temperature rises.

Beyond climate issues, Miliband intends to raise concerns over human rights abuses in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur minority. He also plans to invite Chinese officials to London later this year to reinvigorate formal climate talks between the two nations.

Miliband’s visit comes as the UK aims to take a leading role in global climate cooperation. The UK has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and is accelerating its transition to renewable energy sources, which it believes will also benefit its economy.

Although China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also a global leader in renewable energy and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.