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The role of China in combating global climate change

Author

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  • Zhang, ZhongXiang

Abstract

China is the world's second largest CO2 emitter behind the U.S. To what extent China gets involved in combating global climate change is extremely important both for lowering compliance costs of climate mitigation and adaptation and for moving international climate negotiations forward. This explains why the role of China is an issue of perennial concern at the international climate change negotiations. In ascending order of stringency, this article envisions the six options that could be put on the table as China's plausible negotiation position on commitments. It argues that a combination of a targeted carbon intensity level with an emissions cap on a particular sector at some point around or beyond 2020 is the bottom line, beyond which China can not afford to go until its per capita income catches up with the level of middle-developed countries. The article is concluded with the argument that combating global climate change is in China's interest. It will be beneficial to a more sustainable development of the Chinese economy as well as to the global climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, ZhongXiang, 1999. "The role of China in combating global climate change," MPRA Paper 13172, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:13172
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. ZhongXiang Zhang, 1998. "The Economics of Energy Policy in China," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1291.
    2. ZhongXiang Zhang, 1997. "Operationalization and priority of joint implementation projects," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 32(6), pages 280-292, November.
    3. Zhang, ZhongXiang, 1998. "Is China taking actions to limit its greenhouse gas emissions? past evidence and future prospects," MPRA Paper 13054, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Zhang, Zhong Xiang, 1998. "Macroeconomic Effects of CO2 Emission Limits: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis for China," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 213-250, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Zhong Xiang, 2001. "Why has the energy intensity fallen in China's industrial sector in the 1990s?: the relative importance of structural change and intensity change," CDS Research Reports 200111, University of Groningen, Centre for Development Studies (CDS).
    2. repec:dgr:rugcds:200111 is not listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International climate change negotiations; China's negotiation position on commitments; Carbon intensity; Emissions cap; Defined policies and measures; Kyoto Protocol;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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