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John Kerry
Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
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John Kerry is a veteran diplomat, having been a Vietnam soldier, U.S. senator for 25 years, 2004 presidential nominee, and the US Secretary of State (2013-2017) who helped create the 2016 Paris Climate Accord, among other agreements. He founded World War Zero, a bipartisan organization that aims to get the U.S. to net zero emissions by 2050 and, in the last few years, Kerry has led sustainability programs on climate change and oceans at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The creation of the new cabinet-level position dedicated to climate change was welcomed by many, but it also brought many questions on what the role entails. Nominating veteran diplomat John Kerry for the position has caused most to view the new position as a major foreign policy influencer and one to help the U.S. regain its credibility on climate change issues. Kerry is well-connected to both his fellow nominees and other foreign diplomats, among whom he reportedly has a “deeply impressive” reputation, which is leaving observers to predict he will be very capable in his goal to help the U.S. regain global leadership on climate change.
His now-flipped hierarchical status with Biden’s secretary of state Antony Blinken, Kerry’s former deputy secretary of state, also has some observers and advisors concerned how the two roles will balance foreign affairs responsibilities as Kerry would be reporting to Blinken, not the president. The unclarified limits of the new role could complicate Biden’s overall China policy.
Views On China
As a lead producer of CO2 emissions, Kerry sees working with China—and other producers of carbon emissions like India and the European Union—as a necessary step towards healing the global climate. He was recently described as “an optimistic centrist with a long-held interest in tackling climate change who likes to build alliances.” Kerry has recounted times when he has worked closely and successfully with Chinese counterparts on climate issues, both around and before the 2016 Paris Agreement, and, while he believes in Beijing’s commitment to improving the global climate crisis, Kerry also believes that global accountability and U.S. leadership on climate change agreements is necessary for success.
At his 2013 confirmation hearing, Kerry discussed how China should be both a competitor (in trade) and a partner (specifically on North Korea and climate change) to the U.S., also showing signs that he was unconvinced of the need for a military ramp-up and ‘Pivot to Asia’ at the time. People’s Daily described Kerry in 2013 as one who “stresses more on coordination rather than confrontation in foreign relations.” For instance, in 2013, Kerry helped develop a climate plan with Chinese officials as part of a Working Group.
When asked about the ability to work with China while facing competition on other issues:
They were a partner on climate as we competed with them at other things during the Obama administration. We’ve been there, done that…Right now there are major challenges with respect to some of the things that China is doing. China banks are still funding coal-fired power production, new plants in various countries that are touched by the One Belt, One Road program. So we have to talk to China about that. But we have to do it in a way that doesn’t force people into a corner to hunker down and head towards conflict.
Since taking office, Kerry has approached China’s vast over-representation in global carbon emissions with extreme urgency. He has travelled to China twice within the year, and notably declared in June that “without sufficient [carbon emissions] reduction by China, together with the rest of us, the goal of 1.5 degrees is essentially impossible.”
At the end of 2021, Kerry was criticized by some for his lack of hardline approach to the Chinese, both regarding climate change issues and regarding forced labor, the latter of which Kerry reportedly has overseas investment relations with. Other congressmen have found fault with Kerry, accusing him of lobbying against the Uyghur Human Rights Act.
John Kerry gallivants across the world on his private jet in the name of climate change, while Uyghur Muslims are held in reeducation camps and subjected to forced labor in the name of profit margins for the CCP. Which is more important?
Following the November 10, 2021 “U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s” made with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, Kerry commented on his overarching views of U.S.-China relationship:
The United States and China have no shortage of differences, but on climate, cooperation is the only way to get this job done. This is not a discretionary thing, frankly. This is science. It’s math and physics that dictate the road that we have to travel.
Most Recent Actions
- On November 10, near the end of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change (COP26) Conference, held in Glasgow from October 31-November 12, 2021, Kerry and his counterpart Xie Zhenhua released the “U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s.” This 16-part declaration includes commitments to reduce C02 emissions, cooperate on standards-building, maximize clean energy, and a reaffirmation of the Paris Agreement and the joint declaration previously made on April 17, 2021.
The United States and China…further recognize the seriousness and urgency of the climate crisis. They are committed to tackling it through their respective accelerated actions in the critical decade of the 2020s…to avoid catastrophic impacts.
…The United States and China recall their firm commitment to work together and with other Parties to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement.
At a news conference, China’s Xie Zhenhua noted on the joint declaration:
It’s beneficial not only to our two countries but the world as a whole that two major powers in the world, China and the U.S., shoulder special international responsibilities and obligations…We need to think big and be responsible.
- From October 31-November 12, 2021, Kerry participated in the 2021 United Nations Climate Change (COP26) Conference in Glasgow, where he met and spoke with dozens of global leaders working to reduce and defeat the climate change crisis. According to The Guardian, Kerry was “seen at various points in close conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, the Cop president, Alok Sharma, the EU’s executive vice-president Frans Timmermans,” and many representatives from developing countries. Amidst these, Kerry also met with his Russian counterparts “on efforts to reduce pollution from methane, a potent climate-damaging gas.” Xie Zhenhua once noted that he met with John Kerry “almost every day” of the Summit.
- On October 25, the White House announced that Kerry would be traveling to London on the next day to continue talks with counterparts from China regarding efforts to address the current climate crisis. Following that, Kerry would be joining President Biden on October 30 in Rome for the G20 leaders’ summit and then will head to Glasgow, Scotland, for the COP26 global climate conference.
- On September 17, Kerry chaired a ministerial meeting with with representatives of China, Germany, India, and Russia at the Meeting of the Major Economies on Energy and Climate.
- On September 2, Kerry held several meetings in Tianjin with top Chinese officials. In separate meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier Han Zheng, and Politburo Standing Committee member Yang Jiechi, Kerry stressed the U.S.’ continued commitment to cooperation on climate change and urged his Chinese counterparts to make significant efforts towards reducing China’s carbon usage.
Archive
In the Media
- “New law targeting Chinese forced labor puts human rights before profits,” Bangor Daily News, January 6, 2022
Some Republicans had accused Biden climate envoy John Kerry of lobbying against the bill so as to not complicate work to engage with China on addressing climate change. The White House strongly denied that accusation.
In the Media
- “Kerry looks beyond Glasgow climate summit,” Washington Post, December 30, 2021
- “Biden and Kerry’s Climate Diplomacy Is a Gift to China,” Foreign Policy, December 17, 2021
- “Pelosi snaps after question about China,” Fox Business, December 3, 2021
One of the things that Senator Rubio has said is that the reason why the House has not voted on that Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is because [U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate] John Kerry has lobbied you and others not to act on it and to slow-walk it, so it doesn’t complicate his climate change negotiations with China. Is that true[, Speaker Pelosi]?
John Kerry gallivants across the world on his private jet in the name of climate change, while Uyghur Muslims are held in reeducation camps and subjected to forced labor in the name of profit margins for the CCP. Which is more important? That’s a question I would love Speaker Pelosi to answer.
- “Keep Appointing John Kerry…if you want nothing to get done,” The Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2021
- “John Kerry’s Phony Climate Accomplishments,” The Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2021
- “China’s coal commitments are not enough,” East Asia Forum, November 6, 2021
During US Presidential Climate Envoy John Kerry’s recent visit to China, a moratorium on financing overseas coal-fired projects was a key topic of China–US discussions. While this is a positive step for global mitigation, it alone is far from sufficient to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit on global warming targeted in the Paris agreement.
In His Own Words
- In an interview at the Reuters Next conference on December 1, 2021, Kerry pointed out China in a list of countries that could be doing more to “step up” to climate change issues.
And that means you have China, India, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, South Africa, a group of countries that are going to have to step up…
And we have to help them. This is not just unloaded responsibility on them.
- Following the November 10, 2021 “U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s” made with his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, Kerry noted the following at a press conference:
We also expressed a shared desire for success at this COP on mitigation, adaptation, support and, frankly, all of the key issues which will result in the world raising ambition and being able to address this crisis. Now, with this announcement, we’ve arrived at a new step, a road map for our present and future collaboration on this issue…
The United States and China have no shortage of differences, but on climate, cooperation is the only way to get this job done. This is not a discretionary thing, frankly. This is science. It’s math and physics that dictate the road that we have to travel.
Media
- “John Kerry faces long odds to cement legacy at climate summit,” POLITICO, October 28, 2021
Six years after he led the diplomatic effort that cemented the landmark Paris climate deal, he’ll try to cajole the often recalcitrant governments of China and India to step in line with the effort to phase out fossil fuels.
- On October 15, Senator Marco Rubio wrote an opinion piece released on Fox News titled “It’s time to fire John Kerry, Biden’s ethically challenged climate czar” in which he brought into question John Kerry’s lack of concrete opposition against the Chinese Communist Party’s “use of slave labor.”
…according to a new report, Kerry and his wife have at least $1 million invested in a Chinese investment group called Hillhouse China Value Fund L.P.
Rubio also brought up accusations of Kerry’s apparent countersupport for related congressional acts.
Now it makes sense why he is actively working against my Uyghur Forced Labor Act, which would make it impossible for products made with slave labor in Xinjiang, China to be imported into the United States. Kerry has been working against my legislation, and has convinced President Joe Biden to stay silent on the bill.
- “The AP Interview: Kerry says world short of climate goal,” AP News, October 14, 2021
Critically, Kerry’s repeated trips to China and diplomatic efforts by other countries have failed so far to win public promises of faster emissions cuts from that key climate player, although China did newly pledge last month to stop financing coal-fired power plants overseas…
…Kerry declined to single out China by name as one reason why Glasgow might not be as big a success as it could have been – although surprise announcements by China remain a possibility.
- On September 30, Kerry was interviewed by Bloomberg Television where he stated that he was hopeful “that President Xi will make the decision [to] move further with respect to the reduction of emissions during the course of the next 10 years.” These comments came after President Xi announced the previous week that China would cease building new coal-fired power plants in foreign projects, and that China was “following its own climate roadmap” directly following Kerry’s meeting with climate officials in Tianjin earlier in September.
In His Own Words
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Media
- On July 23, 2021, Kerry virtually attended the G20 Environment, Climate and Energy Ministerial Meeting that concluded with a joint communiqué.
- On August 31, 2021, Kerry travelled to Japan and China to liaise with his counterparts ahead of an important UN Climate Change Conference that will take place in Glasgow this November. A joint statement was produced with his Japanese counterpart and he was expected to meet with Chinese special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua and continue to implore China to accelerate the decarbonization of their economy.
In His Own Words
- During a 2 1/2 day visit in Tianjin with Chinese leaders at the end of August, Kerry reportedly gave “pointed” comments on the current state of U.S.-China relations while pointing out China’s own excessive coal usage in recent years and that “[w]e think China can do more” on climate change.
Adding some 200-plus gigawatts of coal over the last five years, and now another 200 or so coming online in the planning stage, if it went to fruition would actually undo the ability of the rest of the world to achieve a limit of 1.5 degrees [Celsius]
- On July 24, ahead of the G20 Environment, Climate and Energy Ministerial Meeting, John Kerry delivered a speech in London where he called on China to reduce its carbon emissions:
As a large country, an economic leader and now the largest driver of climate change, China absolutely can help lead the world to success by peaking and starting to reduce emissions early during this critical decade of 2020 to 2030…The truth is there’s no alternative, because without sufficient reduction by China, together with the rest of us, the goal of 1.5 degrees is essentially impossible.
In His Own Words
- On May 12, 2021, Kerry told the House Foreign Affairs Committee that “It would be stupid and malpractice if we just set up a sort of trust thing” to hold China accountable to reducing its carbon emissions through coal-fired plants.
Media
- U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua met in Shanghai on April 15 and 16, 2021. The two envoys released a Joint Statement on pathways for U.S.-China cooperation on climate change on the heels of the April 22-23 Earth Day Summit.
- On April 4, Special Climate Envoy John Kerry concluded a regional climate dialogue in the United Arab Emirates with high-ranking officials from across the Middle East. John Kerry provided remarks and signed onto a joint statement.
In His Own Words
- In an interview with CNBC following his trip to the United Arab Emerates’ Regional Climate Dialogue, Kerry said:
This is a huge economic opportunity…. This is not about China. This is not a counter to China. This is about China, the United States, India, Russia… a bunch of countries that are emitting a pretty sizable amount.
Media
- John Kerry joined a virtual meeting on climate change co-hosted by China but did not end up meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua during the event, a US State Department representative said.
- Kerry traveled to London, Brussels, and Paris to work with European allies on climate collaboration. Kerry released joint statements both with the United Kingdom and European Union.
In His Own Words
- On March 23, China’s Minister for Ecology and Environment, Huang Runqiu, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Frans Timmermans, and the Canadian Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, co-convened the 5th session of the Ministerial on Climate Action. The annual meeting, hosted by China this year, was held virtually for the second time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. John Kerry was invited to these talks and delivered remarks, outlining the Biden Administration’s climate agenda:
For our part, we are working hard to deliver. President Biden is committed to a whole-of-government response to achieve net zero emissions no later than 2050.
We are developing an ambitious NDC, which we will announce soon.
We are updating our mid-century strategy to be a net zero strategy.
We will significantly increase climate finance levels over time, starting in our FY22 budget request.
Media
- U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry joined UN Secretary-General António Guterres in celebrating the United States’ reentry into the Paris Agreement during the opening session of the UN Association of the United States of America’s virtual 2021 Global Engagement Summit on February 19.
In His Own Words
During a press conference on January 27, 2021 following the release of the Biden Administration’s release of three executive orders that deal with climate change, John Kerry was asked about whether the administration would make concessions on sensitive security or economic issues. In response, he said:
Obviously we have serious differences with China…. The issues of theft of intellectual property [,] access to markets, [and the] South China Sea… Those issues will never be traded for anything that has to do with climate. But climate is a critical standalone issue that we have to deal on….
Kerry has reiterated the call for China to do more in remarks delivered virtually to the World Economic Forum:
China’s done a lot. I’m not insinuating they haven’t. But they also are funding 70% of the coal-fired power plants around the world in the Belt and Road Initiative. So we have big challenges ahead of us here. We’ve got to be honest.
Media
- Trump Just Formally Pulled the U.S. Out of the Paris Agreement. This Is a Dark Day for America. Washington Post, November 4, 2019
- John Kerry: China and India must step up on climate change Washington Post, September 22, 2019
- China’s Chance to Save Antarctic Sea Life The New York Times, October 26, 2020
- On Climate Change – Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- China, America and Our Warming Planet The New York Times, November 11, 2014
Page Last Updated: January 11, 2022
*None of the personnel in this tracker are associated with the Institute for China-America Studies. All images used on this page are sourced from the official Biden-Harris transition website buildbackbetter.gov or the public domain.*
