Track II Diplomacy: Expert Dialogues on International Climate Cooperation

China, the United States, India and the European Union are the top four greenhouse gas emitters in the world, contributing over 49% of global emissions. Unless these four regions take more significant climate action, there is little hope of achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F) and preventing the worst effects of climate change.

But advancing ambitious climate action on the international stage presents a serious challenge. Many issues related to climate and energy — including the social and economic impacts of transitioning to a green economy — have become too politically charged for governments to navigate in traditional government-to-government (“Track I”) settings. And at the national level, governments are often subject to conflicting political interests which threaten to stymie international collaboration.

This is where “Track II,” or informal diplomacy, comes in. Track II diplomacy allows for candid discussions among government, subnational, civil society and private sector leaders. These dialogues provide an avenue for maintaining and strengthening communication on critical issues and developing a deeper understanding of cultural context. When maintained over multiple years, Track II dialogues also create continuity, allowing trusted partners to continue to work together despite domestic shakeups in political power.

As relations between countries are tested by global challenges, Track II diplomacy can serve as an effective avenue for bilateral collaboration and communication on climate and issues.

About WRI’s Track II Expert Dialogues

WRI facilitates several "Track II Expert Dialogues” between the U.S. and the EU, China and India to exchange ideas and build long-lasting international relations. These discussions focus on strengthening communication and collaboration around climate change and energy among thought leaders while helping to advance international cooperation on issues consistent with WRI’s mission.

The Track II Expert Dialogues bring together senior nongovernmental advisors, former government officials and other stakeholders from each country. WRI works with actors from across the political spectrum, facilitating open and candid conversations with the aim of increasing ambition for climate action on both sides and advancing bilateral cooperation. Amidst a dynamic international political environment, these dialogues have become a platform for continuous communication, encouraging a better understanding of each country's climate and development priorities, barriers to action, and opportunities to increase climate ambition domestically and collaboratively.

Bilateral dialogues convened by WRI include:

China-U.S. High-Level Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change

WRI has directed a Track II Experts’ Dialogue between China and the United States since September 2015, when delegates gathered to discuss shared climate and energy concerns in advance of the final negotiations of the Paris Agreement. The dialogue takes place annually, alternating between the U.S. and China. In April 2024, stakeholders convened in person in Beijing. The dialogue brought together U.S.- and China-based experts and policymakers to discuss opportunities to accelerate independent and collaborative climate action. Dialogue sessions focused on several key issues, including methane monitoring and mitigation, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), energy efficiency and climate finance. Working groups on CCUS and power sector decarbonization met over the course of 2023-2024, informing the work of dialogue.

The China-U.S. Dialogue is conducted with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Europe-U.S. High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change

Since 2020, WRI has co-convened a High-Level Dialogue series in partnership with the European Climate Foundation, bringing together United States and European participants. Virtual and in-person dialogues are held tri-annually. High-ranking government officials, as well as academics and civil society, join to tackle the most pressing issues and concerns facing both regions related to the climate. Participants work toward joint action and collaborative solutions on a range of topics, including international climate progress, transatlantic industrial policy and trade implications, reforming multilateral development banks and debt architecture, heavy industry decarbonization and critical minerals. Additionally, WRI convenes expert roundtables on relevant issues to increase the depth of information exchanged and bring lessons from a broader set of stakeholders to high-level dialogue participants.

In September 2024, the dialogue took place in person during New York City Climate Week. Representatives from the U.S. and Europe met in several sessions focused on the 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions, the New Collective Quantified Goal, and how transatlantic trade can be used to improve climate outcomes.

The EU-U.S. Dialogue is conducted with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy

WRI has supported a Track II Experts’ Dialogue between India and the United States since 2010. Annual convenings are held yearly, alternating between the U.S. and India, bringing together high-level civil society and academic experts. WRI hosts two working groups associated with this dialogue focused on cooling and hydrogen. In March 2024, U.S. and Indian delegates met in New Delhi for the 13th India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy. The dialogue sessions covered a wide range of topics, including hydrogen, heat resilience and cooling, trade, critical minerals and climate finance.

The India-U.S. Track II Dialogue is conducted in collaboration with and supported by the Aspen Institute, with additional support from ClimateWorks Foundation and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

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