Veteran US, China climate envoys retire with key issues left unresolved

Both achieved much but renewable energy, coal use among matters yet to be settled

- Lim Min Zhang

A tough road ahead remains for climate cooperation between the United States and China, despite the foundation laid by their retiring climate envoys in the past three years against the prevailing backdrop of bilateral tensions.

Substantive issues, from coal and renewable energy use to methane emissions reduction, have yet to be resolved between the world's two largest carbon emitters, whose cooperation remains vital for global climate action.

This is even as observers say Mr John Kerry and Mr Xie Zhenhua, with their strong track records and rapport, have performed admirably in keeping climate cooperation on track during their three-year tenure as inaugural envoys.

On Jan 12, former Chinese vice-foreign minister Liu Zhenmin, 68, was announced as the successor to Mr Xie, 74, who stepped down due to health reasons. Mr Liu is a seasoned diplomat who has served various roles in representing China at the United Nations.

Greenpeace East Asia's Beijing-based chief China representative Yuan Ying said Mr Liu "has the experience and political profile to enact decisive progress along the path forged by Mr Xie". She noted that Mr Liu was a key driver in landing the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding global climate agreement that remains remarkable today.