The U.S. and China signed a memorandum of understanding as a joint commitment to reach an international agreement to address climate change. The world’s top two greenhouse-gas emitters said the development elevates climate change as an issue for the countries and vowed to hold regular consultations on the issue. The agreement calls for cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and natural resource conservation, but lacks firm emissions reduction targets. “Cooperation on climate change, clean and efficient energy, and environmental protection can serve as a pillar of the bilateral relationship, build mutual trust and respect, and lay the foundation for constructive engagement between the United States and China for years to come, while also contributing to multilateral cooperation,” the memorandum states.