1. China’s climate and energy policy: at a turning point?
- Author
-
Gørild Heggelund
- Subjects
Original Paper ,China ,Economics and Econometrics ,010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences ,business.industry ,Climate change ,010501 environmental sciences ,Energy transition ,01 natural sciences ,Energy policy ,Carbon neutrality ,Renewable energy ,Power (social and political) ,Climate policy ,Green growth ,Political Science and International Relations ,Economics ,Paris agreement ,Economic system ,business ,Law ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences - Abstract
How have 30 years of development in energy and climate policies influenced long-term trends in China and what does this imply for future climate policies? To answer the question, this article examines three decades of energy and climate policies in China. By providing an overarching review, it contributes new and updated research on drivers behind long-term climate policies and whether China's long-term emissions trend can be broken by placing greater emphasis on innovation, technology and low-carbon development. Importantly, it analyses the most recent policy developments in China, such as the likely effects of China's recent 2060 carbon neutrality goal. We conclude that after the Paris Agreement, the biggest policy change has been technological innovation in the power and transport sector. China has prioritized measures, laws and policies for developing renewable energy, especially solar and wind. China has also embraced the 'green growth' approach for responding to the challenges of climate change. These efforts have yielded results, and China has emerged as a world leader in renewable energy. However, there is still a long way to go. The upcoming 14th five-year plan will be critical for accelerating the energy transition, including setting a cap on coal in the national energy-transition strategy.
- Published
- 2021