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The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a market mechanism that was created by an international regime, but its successful implementation relies on effective CDM governance within its host countries. What kinds of carbon governance patterns are appropriate for reaching the goals of the Kyoto Protocol? Taking China-the leading CDM host country worldwide—as a case study, this article examines the patterns of Chinese carbon governance. The hypothesis brought forward is that the Chinese government is apt in utilizing the international market mechanism CDM for its own priorities by adding own national requirements. The dominating carbon governance pattern is state regulation, while private actors from the business community and from civil society play only a minor role. The article concludes by discussing the implications of the Chinese variety of carbon governance for the post-2012 climate regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article discusses how much the clean development mechanism (CDM) can contribute to the deployment of renewable energies (RE) in China. While there are at least two general barriers to utilizing CDM finance for RE deployment – namely high project costs and the proof of additionality – this article argues that an appropriate national regulation can lead RE technologies to a stage of commercialisation at which CDM financing can become crucial. For an assessment of the current policy mix in place in China for the deployment of renewable energies, the article compares the national Chinese regulations for renewable energies and China’s specific CDM rules for their impact: where do general and CDM-specific regulations for the promotion of renewable energies provide synergies, where does the policy-making on these two levels collide? [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article investigates how transnational NGO cooperation can influence the official Chinese stance on climate change politics. Drawing on the constructivist approach to international relations, the so-called 'spiral model', developed by Risse et al (1999) for the human rights field, is applied to environmental politics for the first time. The model is tested by process tracing the historical development of the Chinese position on climate change and by analysing the roles and impacts of different actors in different phases of norm internalization. The model is complemented by an in-depth analysis of present transnational NGO campaigns in China. Although results show that international and Chinese NGOs have an influence on Chinese climate politics, the model's assumption about the causes for a norm internalization could only partly be confirmed: instead of the pressurizing strategies of the transnational advocacy network, instruments of sharing information seem to be more effective in changing Chinese climate politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent evidence indicates that the GTPase activated Rho/Rho-kinase pathway contributes angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy and vascular remodeling. We tested this hypothesis in vivo by determining the effects of fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, on angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, coronary vascular remodeling, and ventricular dysfunction. Six-month-old apolipoprotein E deficient (apoE-KO) mice were subcutaneously infused with angiotensin II (1.44 mg/kg/day) using an osmotic mini-pump. Mice were randomly assigned to either vehicle or fasudil (136 or 213 mg/kg/day in drinking water) group. Infusion of angiotensin II for 4 weeks resulted in cardiac enlargement, myocyte hypertrophy, and myocardial interstitial and coronary artery perivascular fibrosis. These changes were accompanied by reduced aortic flow velocity and acceleration rate. Cardiac gene expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and collagen type III detected by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction were significantly increased in angiotensin II-infused mice. Treatment with fasudil dose-dependently attenuated angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, prevented perivascular fibrosis, blunted the increase in ANP and collagen type III expression, and improved cardiac function, without changing blood pressure. These data are consistent with a role for Rho-kinase activation in angiotensin II-induced cardiac remodeling and vascular wall fibrosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]