A systematic review of climate policies in China: Evolution, effectiveness, and challenges

Abstract

Due to its strong economic growth, coal-dominated energy structure, and enormous emission base, China's climate policies are of global relevance and likely to determine the success of global climate efforts. Based on 229 climate policies and extensive literature since the 1980s, this study outlines China's climate governance by tracking policy evolution, reviewing principal policy instruments, evaluating policy effectiveness, and identifying challenges. Overall, China has experienced periods of being a defender of development rights (1988–2006), an active follower and participant (2007–2015), and a global leader (Post 2016). The target decomposition and assessment system, the accounting and reporting system, and the carbon emission trading scheme are primary policy instruments. A literature review of policy effectiveness reveals that: (1) climate policies have a positive effect on carbon reduction, economic development, technology innovation, and energy efficiency; (2) policy effectiveness display spatial, temporal, and industrial heterogeneities; (3) climate policies bring many non-climate spillover effects. However, China faces challenges, including lacking a national law and policy diversity, different tradeoffs of central and local governments, and insufficient public engagement. The policy implications include enacting a national law, optimizing the policy mix, balancing tradeoffs of governments, and enhancing public involvement.