New policy brief examines the steady evolution of China’s climate policy

The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) has published a policy brief by Daoping Wang and Peipei Chen examining the recent evolution of China’s climate policy.

The authors argue that, despite the use of China’s emissions as a reason to dilute climate ambition elsewhere, climate action within China has accelerated in tangible ways. Growth in carbon dioxide emissions has slowed, clean-energy capacity has expanded rapidly, and carbon peaking and carbon neutrality have become embedded in national planning.

The brief traces a shift from relatively broad energy-saving measures to the more coordinated ‘1+N’ policy framework, supported by sectoral targets, central-government leadership, technical input from research institutions, policy continuity, and international pressure.

It also identifies the difficult work ahead: reconciling continued economic development with decarbonisation, maintaining power-system stability as the energy mix changes, and managing the growing risks posed by extreme weather. These challenges will shape whether long-term climate commitments can be translated into durable implementation.