Germany and China take the lead

The foundation of the 2015 Paris climate agreement was to a large extent based on cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy and emissions reductions. With the United States now planning to withdraw from the agreement, who will replace them? Ahead of the United Nations climate conference in Bonn that begins next week, the spotlight is on Germany to fill the vacancy. Indeed, there is a strong common ground upon which Germany and China can collaborate to show the world a positive picture of a low-carbon transition. If they work together on renewable energy, a sustainable transport system, and effective policies, these two nations could change the course of the global low-carbon pathway.