China’s energy reform and climate policy: The ideas motivating change

摘要: China has embarked on an ambitious and unprecedented programme of energy reform climate change mitigation. Yet the motivations for this important shift remain unclear. This paper surveys key central government documents articles by China's leading academics to investigate ideas influencing new policies. Three in particular are supportive greater mitigation than past. First, domestic security concerns have risen agenda as a result electricity shortages rapidly rising consumption. Such deeply influenced largely successful efficiency Second, growing awareness environmental constraints economic growth general, potential damages dangerous particular, prompted stronger official rhetoric favour green development. The appearance targets policies that specifically target carbon emissions reductions 12th FYP first time suggests is becoming motivation policy action its own right, rather simply co-benefit enacted other purposes. Third, conviction world moving towards low-carbon forms given rise belief must become technological leader transition. Large levels public financing support development wind power solar PV sectors Chinese strong vested interests seeing successfully compete lead global markets. In order understand approach since 11th FYP, it how such these reframed reshaped government's objectives.