diverse and differences in appeals between large emitting countries and small
emitting countries have constituted the important factor which leads to disagree-
ments within southern countries.
Contradictions between northern and southern countries are mainly contradic-
tions in current international climate politics; meanwhile, contradictions also exist
among northern countries, while contradictions among southern countries have
become gradually prominent. Against such a general background, China-EU
cooperation is gradually strengthened and its importance is also growing with each
passing day.
9.3.1 The Stage of the Convention Negotiations and Entry
into Force in the Years 1990–1994: Limited
CooperationImmediately after climate change became an international political issue, the EU
and the USA had disagreements about whether a binding international treaty was
needed for regulating global climate cooperation. The USA did not advocate
negotiation regarding restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions because scientific
foundation for climate change was still doubtful and there was pressure from forces
in the domestic Republican Party and powerful coal and oil interest groups. The EU
and major member states stressed that a cognitive gap should not serve as an excuse
for hindering actions, and called upon countries to sign a convention specifying
emission reduction targets and a time schedule. At the beginning of its participation
in climate negotiations, China did not make full preparations, whether for climate
change data monitoring, cognition about climate issues or for negotiation coun-
terproposals.^21 However, for the purpose of taking the wave of international pro-
tection of global environment as an opportunity, and to boost the improvement of
China’s ecological environment and rational utilization of resources and energy,^22
China actively participated in and supported a global conclusion to the climate
convention. For disagreements between the EU and the USA, China believed that
the restriction on emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases was a
major decision having a bearing on the overall social and economic development. It
was inappropriate to prematurely make a hasty decision about restrictive provisions
for elements of the Convention.^23
(^21) Shuangwu and Lanlan ( 2010 ).
(^22) China’s Principled Stand on the Global Environmental Issue, adopted by the Environmental
Protection Commission of the State Council on July 6, 1990,http://www.ep898.com/view1.asp?
id=1073, accessed on February 27, 2013.
(^23) China’s Principled Stand on the Global Environmental Issue, adopted by the Environmental
Protection Commission of the State Council on July 6, 1990,http://www.ep898.com/view1.asp?
id=1073, accessed on February 27, 2013.
9 China-EU Relations in the Context of Global Climate Governance 177