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.

About WRI’s Expert Dialogues

WRI facilitates several Expert Dialogues between the U.S. and each of the EU, China and India to exchange ideas and build long-lasting relationships. Different countries face similar challenges when it comes to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The dialogues serve as a platform for those working on climate change topics to come together and learn from one another through candid discussion. These discussions focus on strengthening communication and engagement around climate change and energy among thought leaders while helping to advance action on issues consistent with WRI’s mission.

Bilateral dialogues convened by WRI include:

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

WRI has directed an Expert Dialogue between China and the U.S. 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, helping inform the agenda and discussion of the 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 U.S. and European participants. Virtual and in-person dialogues are held three times a year. High-ranking government officials, as well as academics and civil society, join to tackle the most pressing climate-related issues and concerns facing both regions. 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. WRI also 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 Climate Week NYC. 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 Europe-U.S. Dialogue is conducted with support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

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

WRI has supported an Expert Dialogue between India and the U.S. since 2010. The convenings are held yearly, alternating between the U.S. and India, bringing together high-level civil society and academic experts. As part of the dialogue, WRI hosts two working groups focused on cooling and hydrogen. In March 2024, U.S. and Indian delegates met in New Delhi for the 13th India-U.S. 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. Dialogue is conducted in collaboration with and supported by the Aspen Institute, with additional support from ClimateWorks Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

 

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