UK and China clean energy partnership to be refreshed

Opportunities for the UK and China to work together on clean energy development are set to be explored.

The news came as UK and Chinese ministers prepared to meet in Beijing for the first formal talks to accelerate climate action in nearly eight years. 

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he will refresh an “outdated” 10-year-old UK Clean Energy Partnership with China, which is the world’s largest investor in renewables.

The agreement will provide clarity on areas where the UK government can securely collaborate with China on areas of mutual benefit – such as new emerging technologies, including hydrogen and carbon capture and storage. The UK will also share expertise on phasing out coal, having closed its last coal-fired power station last year.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “We can only keep future generations safe from climate change if all major emitters act. It is simply an act of negligence to today’s and future generations not to engage China on how it can play its part in taking action on climate”.