China's Climate and Energy Policy: On Track to Low-carbon Growth?

Abstract

China has become the world�s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and in many ways is the linchpin of global climate change policy. If China�s coal use and carbon dioxide emissions keep growing alongside GDP then current global goals for limiting climate change will be out of reach. If, however, China manages to decouple its emissions trajectory from its economic growth then ambitious global emissions reductions scenarios remain feasible, and other industrialising countries may be inclined to emulate China�s pathway.