Policy brief
Published:
China Pushes Forward Climate Policy Steadily
Written by
Daoping Wang
Lecturer, King’s College London (KCL)
Peipei Chen
Research Associate at the Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG), Judge Business School, University of Cambridge
Ed.
Summary:
• Although it functions as a rhetorical excuse for watering down ambitious climate targets in Europe and the US, China has in recent years seen quite a tangible acceleration of climate action.
• It has slowed the growth of CO2 emissions, significantly expanded clean energy, and for the first time embedded carbon peaking and neutrality into the 14th Five-Year Plan. China’s climate strategy has shifted from loose energy-saving measures to the integrated “1+N” framework.
• The recently released third Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement sets out detailed sectoral and annual targets. So far, strong central government leadership, policy continuity, technical support from research institutions, and international pressure have reinforced the steady strengthening of climate policy.
• However, balancing economic growth with decarbonization, ensuring grid stability, and managing risks from intensifying extreme weather will be critical to meeting long-term climate commitments.
• It has slowed the growth of CO2 emissions, significantly expanded clean energy, and for the first time embedded carbon peaking and neutrality into the 14th Five-Year Plan. China’s climate strategy has shifted from loose energy-saving measures to the integrated “1+N” framework.
• The recently released third Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement sets out detailed sectoral and annual targets. So far, strong central government leadership, policy continuity, technical support from research institutions, and international pressure have reinforced the steady strengthening of climate policy.
• However, balancing economic growth with decarbonization, ensuring grid stability, and managing risks from intensifying extreme weather will be critical to meeting long-term climate commitments.
- Published year: 2025
- Publisher: NUPI
- Page count: 4
- Language: English
- Booklet: 7
Written by
Daoping Wang
Lecturer, King’s College London (KCL)
Peipei Chen
Research Associate at the Energy Policy Research Group (EPRG), Judge Business School, University of Cambridge