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China and Climate Change: Just Transition and Social Inclusion

Author

Listed:
  • Lichao Yang

    (School of Sociology, Beijing Normal University, China / School of Sociology, Oxford University, UK)

  • Robert Walker

    (Beijing Normal University, China / School of Sociology, Oxford University, UK)

Abstract

China aims to transition from a carbon‐intensive economy to carbon neutrality before 2060. Although climate change policies commenced in 2007, this goal remains extremely challenging. Reporting on China’s progress, the articles in this issue refer to three concepts. Ecological civilization is a political construct framing China’s policy response to climate change and environmental degradation; its “thin” version refers to sustainable development and modernisation, but it also describes a higher form of civilization to replace industrial society. Environmental authoritarianism describes a top‐down system of governance or policy implementation that engages in minimal public participation; several of the articles report China’s green policies to be of this type. Just transition is a multifaceted evaluative concept employed in most of the articles to comment on the process or outcome of China’s climate change policies. The policy context is explained, before reviewing results from authors’ application of these concepts and offering a summary conclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Lichao Yang & Robert Walker, 2024. "China and Climate Change: Just Transition and Social Inclusion," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v12:y:2024:a:8050
    DOI: 10.17645/si.8050
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lo, Kevin, 2021. "Authoritarian environmentalism, just transition, and the tension between environmental protection and social justice in China's forestry reform," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    2. Vilja Johansson, 2023. "Just Transition as an Evolving Concept in International Climate Law," Journal of Environmental Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 35(2), pages 229-249.
    3. Xiaohui Hu & Wu Tang & Xuliang Zhang & Dongzheng Jie, 2024. "“Small Sacrifice for the Greater Good”: Decoding Just Transition in a Chinese Peripheral Region," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tim Page, 2024. "Il ruolo dei sindacati di fronte alla sfida ecologica globale: un approccio comparativo tra diversi tipi di capitalismo," ECONOMIA E SOCIET? REGIONALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2024(2), pages 13-24.

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