China's Coal Binge May "Undo" Global Capacity To Meet Climate Targets: US

Increasing tensions between the US and China create obstacles for environmental cooperation between the world's two biggest polluters.

US climate envoy John Kerry warned Thursday that Beijing's coal building spree could "undo" global capacity to meet climate targets, after holding talks with top officials in China. Tensions between Beijing and Washington have soared in recent months with the two sides trading barbs on China's human rights record and its initial handling of the coronavirus. Tackling climate change is among a handful of issues where the two sides had struck notes of harmony. But Beijing has in recent months emphasised that environmental cooperation could be hurt by deteriorating Sino-US relations.