China, California ink clean energy agreement

It's the first agreement between a US state and China.

California Governor Jerry Brown and Vice Chairman Xie Zhenhua of the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s highest policy-making body, last week signed the first agreement between a U.S. state and China on greater cooperation in clean energy technologies and research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The memorandum of understanding, which will be in effect for two-years, commits Chinese and California environment and energy officials to work together to find ways to share new low-carbon technologies. It also encourages research and policy innovations to combat climate change. Both sides also agreed to immediately create a task force consisting of top officials to oversee the agreement’s projects.

Brown said he sees the partnership between China and California as a catalyst, and as a lever to change policies in the United States and, ultimately, to change policies throughout the world. He said the idea is to help each side share in ways to tighten industrial performance standards to control methane, carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. The two governments will also exchange experts and organize workshops. Xie noted that California is a very good role model and is taking a leading role for climate change regulation in the U.S.