World .

• Date: 01 January 2024

12024 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW REPORTER 54 ELR 10091

In the World

“In the World” features notable developments reported in the international section of ELR Update during the month of

November 2023. Current and archived materials, and links to primary news sources, can be found on ELR's website at

https://elr.info/international/international-update.

CLIMATE CHANGE

U.S. AND CHINA ANNOUNCE PACT TO

TACKLE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

On November 14, China and the United States released a

joint statement agreeing to greenhouse ga s reductions and ac-

celerating renewable energy development. e announcement

came just ahead of important climate talks at the COP28 in

Dubai (New York Times, AP, Politico). As the world’s two

largest polluters, the countries agreed to restart talks on en-

ergy policies, despite growing geopolitic al and economic ten-

sion s (AP).

In the statement, China and the United States agreed to

“pursue eorts to triple renewable energy capacit y globally by

2030” as they shift away from fossil fuels (New York Times).

e agreement also included a commitment from China to

address all non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases by 2035,

marking a signi cant step toward the Paris Agreement’s goals

(Politico). is marked the rst time China agreed to spe-

cic emission reduction targets in any sector of its economy.

However, the agreement did not include any commitments

from China to phase out coal, a major source of its emissions

(New York Times). Additionally, the United States and Chi-

na hosted talks on methane and other greenhouse gases in

Dubai with the United Arab Emirates (AP). Both countries

“are aware of the important role they play” and “will work

together ... to rise up to one of the greatest challenge s of our

time,” they said in the statement (AP).

While the agreement received cautious praise, some experts

noted the absence of rm targets and stronger declarations

to phase out fossil fuels (Politico). e deal set the stage for

more substantive dialogue between the United States and

China on energy policy, strategies, technologies, and broader

climate actions.

GOVERNANCE

MEXICO UNVEILS $3.4 BILLION RECOVERY

PLAN FOR STORM-STRICKEN ACAPULCO

On November 1, Mexico’s government introduced a $3.4

billion recovery plan for the storm-ravaged coastal city of

Acapulco following the impact of Hurricane Otis (Reuters).

e plan encompasses tax breaks, humanitarian assistance,

and infrastructure reconstruction. Mexico is also expecting

nancial support from cat astrophe bonds and insurance pro-

visions, which could reach bet ween $30 million and $60 mil-

lion (Reuters).

Hurricane Otis led to over 100 casua lties and extensive dam-

age to homes, hotels, and businesses in A capulco, resulting in

a signicant power outage. President Andrés Manuel López

Obrador deployed over 10,000 troops and 1,000 govern-

ment workers to assist with the post-storm recovery eorts

(Forbes). To address the pressing needs of the aected popu-

lation, the recovery plan includes accelerating social welfare

payments, waiving elect ricity charges u ntil February, provid-

ing essential household items to ooded homes, and distrib-

uting basic foodstus to 250,000 families weekly for three

months (Reuters).

Major retailers such as Walmart de México and Soriana are

collaborating with the government on this recovery eort

(Reuters). Further, the plan allocates $575 million for the re-

construction of Acapulco’s damaged infrastructure, and the

city, along with nearby Coyuca de Benítez, will be exempt

from paying taxes until February 2024 (Reuters). President

Obrador assured that additional funding would be allocated

if necessary, given that the storm’s damages are estimated to

be between $10 billion and $15 billion (Forbes). Rapid inten-

sication of hurricanes, like Otis, was a recurring issue dur-

ing the 2023 hurricane season, often exacerbated by increas-

ingly warm waters, intensif ying the impact of such storms.

Copyright © 2024 Environmental Law Institute®, Washington, DC. Reprinted with permission from ELR®, http://www.eli.org, 1-800-433-5120.