US-China Energy Talks, Record Wildfires, and Supercharged El Niño: Key Climate Developments

Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed, your essential guide to the week’s key developments in climate change.

US-China Energy Talks: Trump-Xi Discuss Oil, Energy Security

Following two days of talks between US and Chinese leaders in Beijing, Reuters reports that Trump administration officials raised the prospect of China buying more US oil to address disruptions caused by the Iran war. On Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that the nations had discussed China "buying more US energy," noting that production from Alaska would be a "natural" fit for China.

The South China Morning Post reported that Trump and Xi also agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to "support the free flow of energy."

Climate ‘Cooperation’: Mixed Signals from US and China

Ahead of the talks, the Communist Party-affiliated People’s Daily published an article stating that addressing climate change requires "coordinated efforts and cooperation" between China and the US. The state-run China Daily echoed this sentiment, calling US-China cooperation on energy security and climate governance "essential" due to the countries’ "considerable influence over international institutions."

However, Legal Planet argued that the Trump-Xi meeting had no climate agenda, noting that the two countries are now moving in "radically different directions."

El Niño Set to ‘Supercharge’ Climate Extremes in 2026

Scientists have warned that the El Niño weather pattern could "amplify climate extremes" in 2026, with impacts ranging from wildfires to heatwaves and flooding, Climate Home News reports.

There is an 82% chance of a "very strong" El Niño forming this year, according to the average of four weather forecasters cited by The Times. The Independent added that the phenomenon could be "supercharged" by another weather pattern—a positive Indian Ocean Dipole—raising risks of fire, drought, and other extreme weather events.

Global Wildfires Reach Record High

Global fire outbreaks have hit a "record high" in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere this year, Reuters reports, with conditions expected to worsen to "the highest in recent history" if a strong El Niño "kicks in."

More than 150 million hectares of land were damaged by fires from January to April—20% more than the previous record—according to data compiled by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) research group cited by the newswire.

Ethiopia Accelerates EV Adoption Amid Fuel Shortages

Electric vehicles now account for 8% of Ethiopia’s car fleet as "soaring prices and fuel shortages compel" African countries to switch to "cleaner and cheaper transport," the Associated Press reports.

UK Slashes Climate Aid Contribution

The UK has halved its most recent contribution to the UN’s Green Climate Fund (GCF) as part of a government "shift from development aid to military spending," Climate Home News reports. The UK is no longer the top donor to the GCF following the move, Carbon Brief notes.

New Zealand Moves to Shield Polluters from Climate Liability

Reuters reports that the New Zealand government plans to amend a key climate law to prevent courts from holding private companies liable for climate harms. This would apply to "both current and future proceedings," including a current case against six major emitters.