China acting on climate change

This policy brief examines China's evolving role in global climate change mitigation and adaptation, highlighting the intersection of energy security, economic development, and international diplomacy. It details China's domestic targets for reducing energy intensity and increasing renewable energy, while analyzing the geopolitical tensions and trust deficits between China and developed nations like the U.S. and EU.

• China is identified as the world's largest carbon emitter, contributing up to 25% of global emissions and 57% of the global increase in carbon emissions over the last decade.
• The Chinese government has implemented specific domestic targets to curb emissions and improve energy security: a 20% reduction in energy intensity and a 10% reduction in pollution intensity during the 11th five-year plan (2006–2010). Additionally, China aims for renewable energy to comprise 10% of its energy mix by 2010, 15% by 2020, and 30% or more by 2050.
• China's approach to climate change is driven by concerns over economic and social stability, as well as political survival, given that the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party depends on continued development and poverty alleviation.
• In international negotiations, China is shifting from a position aligned with the G77 toward one that maximizes its own national interests. The success of global climate talks is seen as dependent on the level of trust between China, the U.S., and the EU, who together account for over 50% of global emissions.

APA

Olsson, M. (n.d.). China acting on climate change. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/china-cluster/china-acting-climate-change.pdf

Chicago

Olsson, Marie. China acting on climate change. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/china-cluster/china-acting-climate-change.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Olsson |first1=Marie |title=China acting on climate change |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/china-cluster/china-acting-climate-change.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{olssonndchina, author = {Olsson, Marie}, title = {{China acting on climate change}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/mediamanager/documents/Publications/china-cluster/china-acting-climate-change.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }