(VOVworld) – 2016 saw a number various international activities addressing climate change. The global fight against climate change is expected to continue to evolve in 2017.

Saleemul Huq, Director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) in Bangladesh, said 2017 will be a pivotal year when the US will cede its leading role in the fight against climate change to China and developed countries will give the vanguard role to developing countries. China is considered a leader in renewable energy production. Liz Gallagher, Director of E3G's Climate Diplomacy Program, said China’s outstanding role in the global climate change effort will draw the attention of many countries and change the global power balance.

These assessments were made after US President-elect Donald Trump revealed his appointment of petroleum and mining executives to his new cabinet. Experts say if Trump shuts down the climate change programs of his predecessor, it will be an opportunity for another country to take the leading role and the best candidate is China.

In 2017 scientists will compile a special report outline feasible ways to limit global warming to 1.5 DC above pre-industrial levels. One possible measures is “geo-engineering”, a deliberate large-scale manipulation of an environmental process that affects the earth's climate, in an attempt to counteract the effects of global warming. It might include shooting sulfur particles into the stratosphere to reflect the sun, dumping iron into the ocean to boost the absorption of carbon dioxide, or some other deliberate and large-scale intervention in the climate system.