China defends joining with India on coal ‘phase down’ instead of ‘phase out’ at COP26

China on Monday asked developed countries to stop using the coal first and provide financial aid to developing countries to adopt green technologies as it defended its move to join hands with India in calling for “phase down” instead of “phase out” of coal in the final text of the COP26 conference declaration.

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries accepted a new climate agreement after the COP26 summit in Glasgow concluded on Saturday with a deal, which recognizes India’s intervention for the world to “phase down” rather than “phase out” fossil fuels.