As countries recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the major countries of the world are turning their attention to the next UN climate conference (COP26), scheduled for November 2021. China, the European Union (EU), and the United States (US) are the world’s top three greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, so their cooperation is essential. The EU and the US have laid out ambitious intentions, but their goals may be more aspirational than convincing. At this writing, however, Beijing has not put a cap on carbon emissions, nor has it specified mechanisms to reduce GHG emissions. Tough negotiations will be needed to close loopholes and set a clear action agenda if the goals are to be met.