Emphasizing the need for greater cooperation between China and the U.S. on reaching a long term climate deal, civil society organizations from both countries agreed on Thursday at the UN negotiations in Cancun to establish long-term exchanges and knowledge-sharing between the two countries toward collective climate solutions.

The agreement on long-term cooperative action also calls for all countries to acknowledge the roles of civil society in securing a fair, ambitious, and binding climate deal.

"Being the world's largest emitters, our countries are key to solving the global climate crisis." said Li Bo, Executive Director of Friends of Nature, one of the letter's signatories. "As Americans and Chinese NGOs, we believe our LCA can demonstrate to the world a model for mutual understanding and collaboration."

According to the authors of the agreement, U.S. and Chinese NGOs have gathered informally to share tactics and strategies previously, but have not had a stable, institutional arrangement and concrete set of objectives to leverage their collective strengths.

"With the establishment of a symbolic fast-start fund begin with US$30, we are initiating a long-term effort of capacity building," said Barbara Finamore, China Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

A strategy for long-term financing will be discussed over the coming year and announced at the negotiations next December in South Africa.