U.S. Fact Sheet:

 

Energy and Environment Accomplishments at the
Fifth Cabinet-Level Meeting of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue
December 4, 2008

 

During the first day of the fifth Cabinet-level meeting of the Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), 15 U.S. Cabinet officials and agency heads joined Secretary Paulson for discussions with China’s Vice Premier Wang Qishan and a delegation of 21 Chinese ministers and agency heads.  Following a robust and productive discussion on strengthening cooperation in energy and the environment, the officials signed an EcoPartnerships Framework,  which resulted from the June commitment to explore EcoPartnerships as a means of concrete cooperation between our two nations.

The dialogue in Beijing builds upon the progress that has been made in previous meetings of the SED to promote energy security and further environmental sustainability. Specific energy and the environment steps previously agreed to by both countries include a Ten Year Framework on Energy and Environment Cooperation, an agreement to establish a national emissions trading program in China, and an agreement to strengthen cooperation on strategic oil stocks with the International Energy Agency.

EcoPartnerships

Today, the United States and China signed an EcoPartnership Framework that describes the scope and establishes objectives for EcoPartnerships. Targeted at the sub-national level, EcoPartnerships are voluntary, cooperative efforts between U.S. and Chinese entities. They include local, state or provincial government-to-government partnerships, and partnerships among businesses, universities and non-profits, where ideas can be tested in targeted areas before broad introduction.  Through voluntary cooperative partnerships, EcoPartnerships will demonstrate new models for sustainable economic growth and advance energy security, economic sustainability and environmental sustainability.

The US and China welcomed the creation of seven EcoPartnerships:

• Denver, Colorado / Ford Motor Company and the City of Chongqing / Chang’an Motors: Focused on implementation of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, this partnership has the potential to significantly advance the global development of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
  
  
• Greensburg, Kansas and Mianzhu City, Sichuan: Greensburg, Kansas was 95 percent destroyed by a tornado in May 2007 and made a commitment to sustainable redevelopment. Mianzhu City was one of the most heavily devastated areas in the May 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province. The EcoPartnership represents an opportunity to demonstrate new models for comprehensive, eco-friendly sustainable development and is focused on economic revitalization in rural America and China.
  
  
• Energy Future Holdings Corp. (U.S.) and China Huadian Corporation (China): Both companies are pursuing the development of sustainable business models for “clean energy” in the United States and China, particularly in the area of clean coal.
  
  
• Tulane University (Louisiana) and East China Normal University (Shanghai): The two universities will work together to develop a global model for the sustainability of coastal cities, focused on restoration, conservation and enhancement of environmentally sensitive wetland areas.
  
  
• Port of Seattle (Washington) and Dalian Port Corporation (Liaoning): The partnership between two of the world’s largest sea ports aims to develop a global model for energy efficient and environmentally sustainable ports.
  
  
• Wichita, Kansas and Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province: The partnership is focused on demonstration and implementation of advanced technological solutions for clean air and clean water.
  
  
• Floating Windfarms Corporation (U.S.) and Tangshan Caofeidian New Development Area, Hebei (China): Floating Windfarms Corporation is developing clean energy technologies for the Tangshan Caofeidian New Development Area, focusing on offshore wind farm technology.
  

Each of these EcoPartnerships will last a minimum of two years, and will report progress on their initiatives at future meetings of the SED.  Additional information about EcoPartnerships can be found online at www.EcoPartnerships.gov beginning on Friday, December 5^th.

The U.S. – China Ten Year Energy and Environment Cooperation Framework

Building upon the signing of the Ten Year Framework at the fourth Cabinet-level SED meeting in June 2008, the United States and China today announced consensus on action plans for each of the five goals under the Framework: 1. Clean, Efficient and Secure Electricity Production and Transmission; 2. Clean and Efficient Transportation; 3. Clean Water; 4. Clean Air; and 5. Conservation of Forest and Wetland Ecosystems.  Short-term, medium-term and long-term goals were identified under each of the five goals. The U.S. and China also reached agreement on the establishment of a goal for energy efficiency to address: 1. Energy efficiency in buildings and communities; 2. Industrial energy efficiency; and 3. Consumer recognition of energy efficient products. An action plan detailing cooperation between the United States and China will be developed before the next meeting of the SED.

Cooperation on Energy and Environment Challenges

Additional steps to enhance collaboration between the two countries to promote energy security and further environment sustainability reached at the fifth Cabinet-level SED meeting include:

• Support for China’s Membership in the International Energy Agency (IEA): The U.S. announced support for China to join the IEA as a non-OECD member. China acknowledged the U.S. position and intends to further enhance its dialogue and cooperation with the IEA. This position builds upon previous commitments at the past two Cabinet-level SED meetings.
  
  
• Trade and Investments in Energy Efficiency Projects: The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and U.S. Export-Import Bank, in cooperation with Chinese partners, will jointly support public-private partnerships to address energy efficiency in Chinese businesses. China commits to identifying suitable energy efficiency projects, and the U.S. and Chinese export-import banks will facilitate financing for the projects that involve U.S. exports.
  
  
• Cooperation on Clean Water: The U.S. Trade Development Agency (USTDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in partnership with U.S. trade associations, will form a public-private partnership to leverage U.S. private sector expertise and resources to support China’s clean water program.
  
  
• Sustainable Forest Management: Both the U.S. and China agreed to jointly support a pilot project on wood charcoal alternatives in Central Africa. This joint project represents the first third-country cooperation effort involving the United States and China in Africa. Both countries have also agreed to sponsor a sustainable forest management and forest rehabilitation training workshop before June 2009 under the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet).
  
  
• Combating Illegal Logging:  The U.S. and China have agreed to co-host an international workshop on “Policies on Trade in Timber and Timber Products” in December 2008. Additionally, both countries have established a mechanism for exchanging trade data on wood and wood products, in support of cooperative efforts under the memorandum of understanding on Combating Illegal Logging and Associated Trade.
  
  
• Reducing Mercury Emissions: Both the U.S. and China have agreed to strengthen cooperation in addressing mercury, with the goals of reducing demand for mercury in products and processes, more effectively managing mercury-containing wastes, and promoting best practices and techniques for reducing mercury emissions.