US, China Start New Climate Era After Veteran Envoys Step Down

(Bloomberg) — The United States and China, the world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters, are charting a new course for cooperation after the departure of John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua — two titans of climate diplomacy who paved the way for landmark agreements.

The two men spent years on opposite sides of the negotiating table hammering out global deals to cut planet-warming emissions. Their close personal relationship endured even as ties between the two superpowers deteriorated over issues from trade to Taiwan, which is set to become a renewed source of tension after a weekend election returned the U.S.-friendly ruling party to power.