Climate policy of China
[4] Chinese domestic policy is largely decided at a local or provincial level, with some guidance being provided by the national government.
In 2006, China surpassed the United States as the country with the highest total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions rate.
[9]: 78 In 2021, Ministry of Ecology and Environment published a White Paper on "Responding to Climate Change: China's Policies and Actions".
[11] The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs is attempting to persuade large GHG emitters, such as steelmakers in Hubei, to publish their emission figures.
When measuring production-based emissions, China emitted over 12.6 gigatonnes (Gt) CO2eq of greenhouse gases in 2023, 35% of the world total.
[21] According to the Carbon Majors Database, Chinese state coal production alone accounts for 14% of historical global emissions.
[22] In 2024, China's total historical greenhouse gas emissions surpassed those of the European Union (EU), but trail those of the United States.
The project began in 2004 to incorporate the externalities of previously unaccounted-for environmental costs, but soon produced results that were much worse than anticipated.
[42] Though China continues to build emissions-intensive coal-fired power plants, its "rate of development of renewable energy is even faster".
[50] Over half of those emissions driven by demand from the West are from transnationals taking advantage of China's developmental policies favouring heavy manufacturing over regions with more developed environmental laws and enforcement.
[53] In 2023 the U.S. and China made an agreement to work toward several achievements meant to lessen the impact of the climate crisis, including improved renewable energy output, protecting forests, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
[58] Officials in Beijing cite violations by Chinese companies—in this case, to illustrate the enormity of the task in front of them in getting compliance for environmental regulations which they see as very progressive.
Although local or regional governments have been tasked with carrying out environmental regulations, enforcement is typically fairly light.
[64] Additionally, stronger carbon emission caps have been expected to hurt Chinese- and foreign-owned companies in the short term, though adapting to these policies could still result in future growth.
Additionally, pollution-flagrant early stages of industrialization may have contributed to what China sees as a lack of balance of power, particularly between the US and China,[66] therefore many Chinese officials see global warming mitigation as creating an economic burden that slows its economy and further exacerbates the unequal balance of power.
[68] As such, Chinese officials insist that developed nations should shoulder a comparable portion of the global cost for reversing the world's emissions, consistent with the polluter pays principle.
What right do you have to lecture us?As a member of the UNFCCC, China has participated in several conferences meant to implement resolutions toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
[77] The plan also includes provisions to promote low-carbon methods for energy production and industry, in order to peak the nation's carbon output before 2030.
This plan places emphasis on clean energy sources and low-carbon production, meant to push the country toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.
