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Since ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2015, China has established itself as a major player in the global climate policy arena. Along with anti-corruption initiatives, governance reform, and national security plans, President Xi Jinping has made climate change and sustainable development a top priority. Under Xi’s direction, China has established itself as a pioneer in green development worldwide, pledging to reach carbon neutrality by 2060 and peak carbon emissions by 2030.
China’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 highlights its strategic influence in determining international environmental regulations and promoting sustainable development programs. President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s commitment to combating global climate change on several international forums. According to him, China “will stay firmly on the path of green development and continue to be an important force for global green transition.” He made this declaration at the APEC CEO Summit in November 2024.
At the World Leaders Climate Action Summit 2024, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang also declared that “China will work with all parties to uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, make concerted efforts to protect Earth, our common home, and jointly build a clean and beautiful world.”
China has transformed over time from a helpless bystander to an accountable world leader. The world’s largest developing country and second-largest economy, China has deliberately positioned itself at the vanguard of international environmental diplomacy, using its economic clout and policy initiatives to shape global climate governance. To promote a just and equitable transition, China has been pushing to strengthen South-South cooperation, increase the role of poor nations in climate decision-making, and connect climate measures with economic growth.
China’s climate policy, particularly its commitment to achieve carbon neutrality, has been at the forefront of international discussion. Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the country has increased its production of renewable energy and invested in low-carbon infrastructure projects and green financing. Despite its firm climate pledges, China has challenges related to transparency, coal use, and geopolitical concerns. Understanding China’s evolving position in climate governance requires a careful examination of its past evolution, current strategic shifts, and future goals. Five significant phases have influenced the framework for international cooperation on climate action in the history of global climate governance.
The first phase, which lasted from 1972 to 1992, began when countries realized the importance of international environmental cooperation at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972. An essential step in assessing scientific evidence and developing climate-related policies was the establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. A legal basis for global climate action was established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit with the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Since wealthier countries have historically been held more accountable for carbon emissions, the concept of “common but differentiated responsibilities” (CBDR) was formed during the second development phase, which ran from 1992 to 1997. As a result, the Kyoto Protocol (1997) was ratified, which allowed industrialized countries to set legally binding carbon reduction targets while excluding emerging nations like China from mandatory reductions.
During the period of top-down progress from 1997 to 2001, the Kyoto Protocol became the primary tool for global climate governance. However, when the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2001, claiming that it came at an unfair cost to developed countries, its effectiveness was undermined. Tensions between developed and developing countries over climate obligations increased during the post-Kyoto stagnation period, which lasted from 2001 to 2015. The failure of the 2009 Copenhagen Summit to produce a legally binding agreement highlighted the divisions in global climate negotiations.
A significant shift in climate governance occurred with the 2015 Paris Agreement, which marked the beginning of the bottom-up promotion phase. Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement requires China and all other countries to make nationally determined contributions (NDCs). This agreement was primarily shaped by China, which has since emerged as a leading advocate for carbon neutrality and sustainable growth.
China’s climate governance approach has developed over four main stages. During the period of cautious involvement from 1978 to 1992, China took a passive approach, prioritizing economic growth over environmental concerns. Despite its participation in international climate discussions, it remained hesitant to make enforceable carbon reduction commitments.
Throughout the strategic defense period from 1992 to 2008, China took a more defensive but aggressive stance, highlighting the CBDR concept and arguing that industrialized nations should lead the charge on carbon reductions. China concentrated on industrial growth and saw climate commitments as a barrier, despite its 2002 accession to the Kyoto Protocol.
The 2008–2015 development period was a turning point because China became more assertive in climate talks. Chinese investments in carbon markets, emissions reduction plans, and renewable energy were spurred by the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which brought attention to the country’s environmental goals. Since 2016, China has mobilized and contributed about USD 24.78 billion in project financing to help other developing nations respond to climate change. China joined growing nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa at the 2009 Copenhagen Summit to promote fair climate agreements.
China’s integration of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and green funding into the Belt and Road Initiative signifies a shift toward environmentally conscious infrastructure projects. China has implemented aggressive climate policy in three primary areas: domestic carbon markets, green financing, and carbon neutrality.
China faces significant challenges in reducing its carbon footprint as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse emissions. With significant investments in solar, wind, and electric vehicle (EV) technology, it has, nevertheless, also made a name for itself as a global pioneer in renewable energy. China, led by President Xi Jinping, has set aggressive climate goals, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 and peak carbon emissions by 2030. This pledge indicates a shift towards sustainable growth and environmental responsibility, which marks a revolutionary shift in the country’s energy and economic policies.
China has adopted a comprehensive approach to achieve its carbon neutrality goals, which includes developing green finance initiatives, growing renewable energy infrastructure, and boosting technological advancement in clean energy sectors. Incentives for public and commercial investments in green technologies have been offered by the government, which has also enforced strict regulations on the use of coal and encouraged low-carbon industrial practices. These programs are a key component of China’s overall vision for an ecological society, which integrates sustainability into its long-term growth plan.
In the field of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power generation, China has emerged as the world leader. As the world’s largest producer and provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, the country produces more than 70% of the world’s solar panels. Thanks to significant government subsidies and regulatory support, Chinese companies such as LONGi Solar, JinkoSolar, and Trina Solar have become worldwide recognized leaders in the solar industry, offering cutting-edge solar solutions.
With large solar farms in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, and Qinghai, China is leading the world in solar capacity installation in addition to production. The Tengger Desert Solar Park and Longyangxia Dam Solar Park are two of the world’s most impressive solar energy projects, contributing significantly to China’s renewable energy reserves. These programs provide millions of homes with clean electricity while also reducing reliance on fossil fuels. In addition to solar energy, China is also expanding its wind energy industry. The biggest wind farms in the country, including Jiuquan Wind Power Base and Gansu Wind Farm, have been built. China plans to invest heavily in offshore wind energy in order to triple its wind power output by 2030. Wind power has been successfully integrated into the country’s energy infrastructure through the government’s implementation of grid upgrade projects.
China is already a global leader in the production and use of electric vehicles (EVs) as it works toward its carbon neutrality target. The country is home to well-known EV manufacturers like BYD, NIO, XPeng, and Geely, which surpass competitors from abroad in terms of battery technology and vehicle range. China has become a global leader in EVs because to government policies that support manufacturing incentives, charging infrastructure, and EV subsidies.
China is committed to environmentally friendly transportation, as evidenced by its aggressive ban on gasoline-powered automobiles. The government has put strict environmental regulations into place with the goal of outlawing the sale of fossil fuel cars in major cities by 2035. Cities like Shenzhen and Beijing have significantly reduced their urban carbon emissions by switching to electric buses and taxi fleets.
With companies like CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited) and BYD at the forefront of the global lithium-ion battery industry, China also leads the world in the production of batteries for electric vehicles. China’s advancements in fast-charging technology and solid-state battery technology are setting new standards for sustainable mobility in the future. Through programs such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Belt and Road Green Development Initiative (BR-GDI), China is integrating renewable energy investments into international infrastructure projects in developing nations throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These programs align with China’s larger vision of a “community with a shared future for mankind,” which links environmental sustainability with economic growth.
As part of President Xi Jinping’s pledge to implement a green transition, China has shifted its focus to infrastructure for renewable energy. BR-GDI prioritizes hydropower plants, wind farms, solar farms, and sustainable urban projects, ensuring that China’s foreign investments promote decarbonization rather than worsen climate change.
In the Global South, the Asian Development Investment Bank (AIIB) has emerged as a key financial player for funding sustainable development projects. In contrast to traditional Western financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF, the AIIB provides flexible, low-interest loans for climate adaptation, smart city projects, and sustainable energy. As a trustworthy financial partner for countries looking to shift to a low-carbon economy, the AIIB has more than 100 member countries. By investing in green infrastructure and influencing global climate laws, China is increasing its geopolitical influence.
In addition to global financial sanctions, China has achieved significant strides in reducing its own carbon emissions. In 2021, it became the global emissions trading market and established a national carbon trading system, which is its most notable achievement. More than 4 billion tonnes of emissions are addressed by the system each year; it first targets the electricity industry before gradually expanding to heavy industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. This market-based approach incentivizes companies to reduce emissions since companies that exceed their carbon thresholds must purchase additional permits, while low-emission companies can profit from their excess quotas.
China has significantly expanded afforestation projects in addition to carbon trading in an effort to improve forest carbon sinks and reduce emissions. China has planted billions of trees in arid and degraded areas through its National Forest Expansion Plan, making it one of the few major countries to achieve a net increase in forest cover over the past 20 years. The “Great Green Wall of China” and other initiatives aim to restore ecosystems and slow down desertification, which will increase climate resilience and preserve biodiversity.
China’s rise in climate diplomacy demonstrates its broader objective of changing the frameworks of global governance. Notwithstanding its impressive claims of carbon neutrality and sustainable development, barriers like as reliance on coal, worries about transparency, and geopolitical tensions continue to exist. The world will closely monitor China’s actions as climate negotiations continue. It might establish a new benchmark for climate leadership if it can strike a balance between environmental responsibility and economic growth, one that is genuinely in line with the global community’s efforts to achieve sustainability.
[Photo by Wikimedia Commons]
Ejaz Karim is a postdoctoral researcher at Yunnan Minzu University, China. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
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