China’s climate plans maze

The year 2021 was supposed to deliver a concrete Chinese climate policy with the COP conference. Nevertheless, the signals now seem contradictory. A lack of coordination between the various government agencies is to blame. Overall, however, the thumbs are pointing upward.

China is also struggling to find the most efficient regulations for the shift to climate neutrality. The transformation of the energy sector and heavy industry are the most difficult challenges. Currently, it looks as if one part of the Chinese leadership is stepping on the gas while the other one is pulling the brake. Over the New Year, the government’s Development Research Center published a report suggesting that the CO2 turnaround could come two years earlier than previously expected. Greenhouse gas emissions could peak as early as 2028, not 2030, according to government researchers. The reasons are lower growth and faster take-up of climate protection measures.

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