Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions: a global issue

"I want to thank the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs for creating this watering hole for these two countries to come together. I want to remind us all that we want to build a legacy of natural resources and a more sustainable climate for our future."
John Turner, former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and International Scientific Cooperation

"Many thanks to the JHCGA for its dedication to the clean coal technology development of China."
Wu Yin, Director general, Energy Bureau, National Development and Reform Commission, People's Republic of China

JHCGA’s flagship project, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative, reflects Wyoming’s responsibilities and role as the largest coal-producing state in the U.S. In partnership with Shanxi, China’s largest coal-producing province, the initiative brings together business leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to respond to the urgent challenge of reducing carbon emissions from coal mining and consumption. 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide are released into the earth’s atmosphere every year. Coal-fired power plants in the U.S. and China account for over ¼ of those emissions.

Started in 2003, the project has involved scores of public and private sector leaders from Wyoming, Shanxi, and elsewhere around the world. Through numerous meetings, site visits, partnerships, and Memoranda of Understanding organized as part of this project, JHCGA has pushed the agenda on a range of energy issues. The final report on the U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative is available here.

As natural gas begins to displace coal in the nation’s total energy supply, JHCGA is increasingly turning its attention to opportunities for carbon reduction created by this new energy source, particularly in the transportation sector. In this context, JHCGA is currently exploring interest in a regional energy strategy on the part of the five-state Intermountain West region of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. A major focus of this project will be opportunities for regional cooperation in the development of natural gas vehicles fleets and an associated natural gas fueling infrastructure.

  • September 2012 – Attendance at China International Energy Industry Expo, and BIT's 1st Annual International Symposium of Clean Coal Technology, with speech given by David Wendt, President JHCGA: "The Role of Clean Energy Standards in International Coal Markets," both in Shanxi Province, China
  • October 2011 – Attendance at The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, Beijing, China, and Presentation by Invitation at the 6th Expo Central China, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
  • October 2009 – Visit of delegation from Peoples Municipal Government of Jincheng; Jackson, WY (in cooperation with Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project)
  • September 2009 – Visit of China Coal Information Institute; Jackson, WY (in cooperation with Joint Committee on Minerals, Business, and Economic Development, Wyoming State Legislature)
  • February 2009 – Sino-U.S. New Energy Sci-Tech Forum and Conference on Coalmine Methane Recovery and Utilization; Jincheng, Shanxi province (in cooperation with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Global Methane Initiative, GE, Peoples Municipal Government of Jincheng, and Shanxi Foreign Affairs Office)
  • September 2006 – U.S.-China Clean Coal Forum; Taiyuan, Shanxi province, PRC (in cooperation with Shanxi Provincial Government)
  • October 2004 – U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative, 3rd meeting; Jackson, WY (in cooperation with Peoples Government of Shanxi Province, PRC)
  • June 2004 – U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative, 2nd meeting; Taiyuan, Shanxi province, PRC (in cooperation with Peoples Government of Shanxi Province)*
  • November 2003 - U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative, 1st meeting; Jackson, WY (in cooperation with U.S. State Department)