It is the largest commitment to tackle climate change in the over two decades that global climate negotiations have been happening. The deal comes during a state visit by US President Barack Obama to China. Speaking during the announcement, he said: “As the world’s largest economies and greatest emitters of greenhouse gases we have a special responsibility to lead the global effort against climate change.” The US target of a 28% reduction was “ambitious but achievable”. He said he hoped this would “encourage major economies to be ambitious” in setting their own targets. Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country would peak its emissions by, or before, 2030.

Available at: http://mg.co.za/article/2014-11-12-us-china-carbon-deal-brings-hope-for-climate-change-policy