Earlier this year, China announced a goal to reach carbon neutrality before 2060 – a pledge welcomed by European leaders as part of the international climate drive.

Three-way climate diplomacy

Climate talks between the two had been part of a wider bilateral trade and investment agenda that Brussels hopes will help restore a level playing field between EU companies and state-owned Chinese firms that are not subject to the same CO2 emission obligations.

In spite of the economic crisis posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU and China had sent “a clear political signal” in July that they are still committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

After the past EU-China summit in September, EU officials said Europe did not have any “red lines” on environmental issues at this stage and was ready to assist China in reducing its emissions.