Climate change in China

{{Excerpt|Greenhouse gas emissions by China|paragraphs=1-2}}

{{update section|date=September 2019}}

China has and will suffer some of the effects of global warming, including sea level rise, glacier retreat and air pollution.

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| image1 = Koppen-Geiger Map CHN present.svg

| caption1 = Köppen climate classification map for China for 1980–2016

| image2 = Koppen-Geiger Map CHN future.svg

| caption2 = 2071–2100 map under the most intense climate change scenario. Mid-range scenarios are currently considered more likely{{cite journal|last1=Hausfather|first1=Zeke|last2=Peters|first2=Glen|title=Emissions – the 'business as usual' story is misleading|journal=Nature|date=29 January 2020|volume=577|issue=7792|pages=618–20|doi=10.1038/d41586-020-00177-3|pmid=31996825|bibcode=2020Natur.577..618H|doi-access=free}}{{Cite journal |last1=Schuur |first1=Edward A.G. |last2=Abbott |first2=Benjamin W. |last3=Commane |first3=Roisin |last4=Ernakovich |first4=Jessica |last5=Euskirchen |first5=Eugenie |last6=Hugelius |first6=Gustaf |last7=Grosse |first7=Guido |last8=Jones |first8=Miriam |last9=Koven |first9=Charlie |last10=Leshyk |first10=Victor |last11=Lawrence |first11=David |last12=Loranty |first12=Michael M. |last13=Mauritz |first13=Marguerite |last14=Olefeldt |first14=David |last15=Natali |first15=Susan |last16=Rodenhizer |first16=Heidi |last17=Salmon |first17=Verity |last18=Schädel |first18=Christina |last19=Strauss |first19=Jens |last20=Treat |first20=Claire |last21=Turetsky |first21=Merritt |year=2022 |title=Permafrost and Climate Change: Carbon Cycle Feedbacks From the Warming Arctic |journal=Annual Review of Environment and Resources |volume=47 |pages=343–371 |doi=10.1146/annurev-environ-012220-011847 |quote="Medium-range estimates of Arctic carbon emissions could result from moderate climate emission mitigation policies that keep global warming below 3°C (e.g., RCP4.5). This global warming level most closely matches country emissions reduction pledges made for the Paris Climate Agreement..." |doi-access=free |bibcode=2022ARER...47..343S }}{{Cite web |last=Phiddian |first=Ellen |date=5 April 2022 |title=Explainer: IPCC Scenarios |url=https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |website=Cosmos |access-date=30 September 2023 |quote="The IPCC doesn't make projections about which of these scenarios is more likely, but other researchers and modellers can. The Australian Academy of Science, for instance, released a report last year stating that our current emissions trajectory had us headed for a 3°C warmer world, roughly in line with the middle scenario. Climate Action Tracker predicts 2.5 to 2.9°C of warming based on current policies and action, with pledges and government agreements taking this to 2.1°C. |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920224129/https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/climate/explainer-ipcc-scenarios/ |url-status=live }}

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{{More citations needed|section|date=July 2023}}

There has also been an increased occurrence of climate-related disasters such as drought and flood, and the amplitude is growing. These events have grave consequences for productivity when they occur, and also create serious repercussions for the natural environment and infrastructure. This threatens the lives of billions and aggravates poverty.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) convened in 2012, China has prioritized its response to climate change.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

A study published in 2017, using continuous and coherent severe weather reports from over 500 manned stations from 1961 to 2010, found a significant decreasing trend in severe weather occurrence across China, with the total number of severe weather days that have either thunderstorms, hail and/or damaging wind decreasing about 50% from 1961 to 2010. The reduction in severe weather occurrences correlated strongly with the weakening of the East Asian summer monsoon.{{Cite journal|last1=Zhang|first1=Qinghong|last2=Ni|first2=Xiang|last3=Zhang|first3=Fuqing|date=17 February 2017|title=Decreasing trend in severe weather occurrence over China during the past 50 years|journal=Scientific Reports|volume=7|page=42310|doi=10.1038/srep42310|issn=2045-2322|pmc=5314453|pmid=28211465|bibcode=2017NatSR...742310Z}}{{Cite web|last=Jackson|first=Liam|date=17 February 2017|title=Study shows China's severe weather patterns changing drastically since 1960 {{!}} Penn State University|url=https://news.psu.edu/story/451207/2017/02/17/research/study-shows-chinas-severe-weather-patterns-changing-drastically|access-date=12 February 2021|website=news.psu.edu|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512030750/https://news.psu.edu/story/451207/2017/02/17/research/study-shows-chinas-severe-weather-patterns-changing-drastically|url-status=live}}

China observed a ground average temperature increase of {{convert|0.24|C-change|F-change}} per decade from 1951 to 2017, exceeding the global rate. The average precipitation of China was {{convert|641.3|mm|in}} in 2017, 1.8% more than the average precipitation of previous years. There was an annual increase in concentrations of carbon dioxide from 1990 to 2016. The annual mean concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide at Wanliguan Station were 404.4 ppm, 1907 ppb, and 329.7 ppb separately in 2016, slightly higher than the global mean concentration in 2016.{{Cite web|title=《中国气候变化蓝皮书》：年平均气温显著上升--人民网环保频道--人民网|url=http://env.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0403/c1010-29905684.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623185528/http://env.people.com.cn/n1/2018/0403/c1010-29905684.html|archive-date=23 June 2019|access-date=10 April 2018|website=env.people.com.cn}}

File:Порт Гуанчжоу.jpg are vulnerable to sea level rise{{Cite news|last1=Bernard|first1=Steven|last2=Shepherd|first2=Christian|date=12 June 2021|title=China's sea-level rise raises threat to economic hubs to extreme|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4dd9860b-664e-4ca0-86a4-5a935d2a22f1|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=21 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221032028/https://www.ft.com/content/4dd9860b-664e-4ca0-86a4-5a935d2a22f1|url-status=live}}]]

The sea level rise was 3.5mm/year from 1980 to 2022 compared to the global average of 3.2mm/year.{{Cite news|date=27 August 2020|title=China Is Heating Up Faster Than The Global Average, Data Shows|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-27/china-is-heating-up-faster-than-the-global-average-data-shows|access-date=8 April 2021|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520035409/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-27/china-is-heating-up-faster-than-the-global-average-data-shows|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Gan |first=Nectar |date=2023-04-13 |title=Record rise in China's sea levels threatens coastal cities like Shanghai |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/13/china/china-sea-level-record-high-2022-climate-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=CNN |language=en}}

China's first National Assessment of Global Climate Change, released in the 2000s by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), states that China already suffers from the environmental impacts of climate change: increase of surface and ocean temperature, rise of sea level.http://www.die-gdi.de/CMS-Homepage/openwebcms3_e.nsf/(ynDK_contentByKey)/ENTR-7BDE2T?OpenDocument&nav=expand:Research%20and%20Consulting\Projects;active:Research%20and%20Consulting\Projects\ENTR-7BDE2T{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{better source needed|date=September 2019}} Temperatures in the Tibetan Plateau of China are rising four times faster than anywhere else (data from 2011).{{cite web|title=The Indus Equation Report, Strategic Foresight Group|url=http://www.strategicforesight.com/publication_pdf/10345110617.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328072947/https://www.strategicforesight.com/publication_pdf/10345110617.pdf|archive-date=28 March 2019|access-date=14 August 2013}} Rising sea level is an alarming trend because China has a very long and densely populated coastline, with some of the most economically developed cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, and Guangzhou situated there. Chinese research has estimated that a one-meter rise in sea level would inundate 92,000 square kilometers of China's coast, thereby displacing 67 million people.{{cite web|title=Digication e-Portfolio :: Eda Charmaine Gimenez :: Welcome|url=http://stonybrook.digication.com/egimenez/Case_Study_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_China|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110829211301/http://stonybrook.digication.com/egimenez/Case_Study_Impact_of_Climate_Change_on_China|archive-date=29 August 2011|access-date=26 April 2012|website=stonybrook.digication.com}}{{better source needed|date=September 2019}}

Climate change caused an increase in sea level, threatening to impair the functions of harbors.{{better source needed|date=September 2019}}

Rising sea levels affect China's coastal land.  Cities along the coast such as Shanghai, only 3–5 meters above sea level leaves its 18 million residents vulnerable.  Sea levels in Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong have already risen .12 meters in the last 50 years.

Shanghai, China Population Density and Low Elevation Coastal Zones (5457913310).jpg|Yellow Sea

Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, v2, 2010 Shanghai, China (13874137394).jpg|Shanghai

Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, v2, 2010 Tianjin, China (13873741565).jpg|Tianjin and Yingkou

Climate change increases forest belt limits and frequencies of pests and diseases, decreases frozen earth areas, and threatens to decrease glacial areas in northwest China. The vulnerability of ecosystems may increase due to future climate change.{{better source needed|date=September 2019}} In the years 1970-2016 the occurrence of crop pest and diseases increased 4 times. 22% of that rise are due to climate change. By the year 2100 the occurrence will rise 243% under a low emission scenario and by 460% under a high emissions scenario. China is the biggest producer of wheat and rice in the world. It is in the second place in maize production.{{cite web |last1=Hess |first1=Lily |title=In China, drastic rise in crop pests and diseases due to climate change |url=https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/56092/in-china-drastic-rise-in-crop-pests-and-diseases-due-to-climate-change/ |website=LANDSCAPE NEWS |date=7 January 2022 |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124132516/https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/56092/in-china-drastic-rise-in-crop-pests-and-diseases-due-to-climate-change/ |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Chenzhi |last2=Wang |first2=Xuhui |title=Occurrence of crop pests and diseases has largely increased in China since 1970. |journal=Nature Food |date=9 December 2021 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=57–65 |doi=10.1038/s43016-021-00428-0 |pmid=37118481 |s2cid=245017229 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00428-0 |access-date=24 January 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124141147/https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00428-0 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}

File:Desertification Control Project, Ningxia China - Planet Labs satellite image.jpg

China is home to 17,300 species of plants and animals: 667 vertebrates, ancient flora and fauna. Due to rising global temperatures, within the next century 20-30% of species will go extinct.{{Cite journal|last1=Zheng|first1=Heran|last2=Cao|first2=Shixiong|date=1 February 2015|title=Threats to China's Biodiversity by Contradictions Policy|url= |journal=Ambio|language=en|volume=44|issue=1|pages=23–33|doi=10.1007/s13280-014-0526-7|issn=1654-7209|pmc=4293358|pmid=24789510|bibcode=2015Ambio..44...23Z }}

More than one fourth of China is covered by desert, which is growing due to desertification.  Desertification in China destroys farmland, biodiversity, and exacerbates poverty.{{Cite journal|last1=Feng|first1=Qi|last2=Ma|first2=Hua|last3=Jiang|first3=Xuemei|last4=Wang|first4=Xin|last5=Cao|first5=Shixiong|date=3 November 2015|title=What Has Caused Desertification in China?|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=5|issue=1|pages=15998|doi=10.1038/srep15998|pmid=26525278|pmc=4630590|bibcode=2015NatSR...515998F|issn=2045-2322|doi-access=free}}

Climate change decreased total water resources in North China while increasing total water resources in South China. There were more floods, drought, and extreme weather events. A major drought in 2001 resulted in China losing 6.4 billion U.S. dollars of crops as well as reducing water supply for “33 million rural people and 22 million livestock.”{{cite journal |last1=Tong |first1=Shilu |last2=Berry |first2=Helen L |last3=Ebi |first3=Kristie |last4=Bambrick |first4=Hilary |last5=Hu |first5=Wenbiao |last6=Green |first6=Donna |last7=Hanna |first7=Elizabeth |last8=Wang |first8=Zhiqiang |last9=Butler |first9=Colin D |title=Climate change, food, water and population health in China |journal=Bulletin of the World Health Organization |date=2016 |volume=94 |issue=10 |pages=759–765 |publisher=U.S. National Library of Medicine |doi=10.2471/BLT.15.167031 |pmid=27843166 |pmc=5043205 }} There may be a big impact on the spatial and temporal distribution in China's water resources, increasing extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Glacier melting in the Northern Region of China causes flooding in the upper parts of the Yangtze River. This ruins soil and arable land. The glacial melting causes lower parts of the Yangtze River to have lower volumes of water, also disrupting farming.{{Cite web|title=Climate Change Impacts on China's Environment: Biophysical Impacts|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/climate-change-impacts-chinas-environment-biophysical-impacts|access-date=1 March 2021|website=www.wilsoncenter.org|date=7 July 2011 |language=en|archive-date=15 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215053845/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/climate-change-impacts-chinas-environment-biophysical-impacts|url-status=live}}

Furthermore, climate change will worsen the uneven distribution of water resources in China. Outstanding rises in temperature would exacerbate evapotranspiration, intensifying the risk of water shortage for agricultural production in the north. Although China's southern region has an abundance of rainfall, most of its water is lost due to flooding. As the Chinese government faces challenges managing its expanding population, increased demand for water to support the nation's economic activity and people will burden the government. In essence, a water shortage is indeed a large concern for the country.{{better source needed|date=September 2019}}

Overfishing and rising ocean temperatures are killing the coral reefs in the South China Sea.  This lowers biodiversity, and negatively affects the fish market economy in China.

File:20210824 Survey - climate change impact on daily life - European Investment Bank.svg climate survey stated that climate change had an impact on everyday life.]]

Climate change has a significant impact on the health of Chinese people. The high temperature has caused health risks for some groups of people, such as older people (≥65 years old), outdoor workers, or people living in poverty. In 2019, each person who is older than 65 years had to endure extra 13 days of the heatwave, and 26,800 people died because of the heatwave in 2019.

In the future, the probability rate of malaria transmission will increase 39-140 percent because of temperature increase of 1-2 degrees Celsius in south China.{{Cite journal |last=The Lancet |date= 2021|title=Climate and COVID-19: converging crises |journal=The Lancet |volume=397 |issue=10269 |pages=71 |doi=10.1016/s0140-6736(20)32579-4 |pmid= 33278352|s2cid= 227315818|issn=0140-6736|doi-access=free }}

According to the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report the country that will pay the highest financial cost if the temperature continue to rise is China. The impacts will include food insecurity, water scarcity, flooding, especially in coastal areas where most of the population lives due to higher than average sea level rise, and more powerful cyclones. At some point part of the country can face wet-bulb temperatures higher than humans and other mammals can tolerate more than six hours.{{cite web |last1=Ye |first1=Yuan |title=IPCC Warns China Will Be Hit Hard by Climate Change |url=https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1009809/ipcc-warns-china-will-be-hit-hard-by-climate-change |website=Sixth tone |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306093049/https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1009809/ipcc-warns-china-will-be-hit-hard-by-climate-change |url-status=live }}

The negative effects on China's agriculture caused by climate change have appeared. There was an increase in agricultural production instability, severe damages caused by high temperature and drought, and lower production and quality in the prairie. In the near future, climate change may cause negative influences, causing a reduction of output in wheat, rice, and corn, and change the agricultural distribution of production.{{Cite web|url=http://waterschool.cn/projects/climate-change/approach/|title=Climate Change in China {{!}} Shangri-la Institute|website=waterschool.cn|access-date=15 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509152210/http://waterschool.cn/projects/climate-change/approach/|archive-date=9 May 2018|url-status=dead}}{{better source needed|date=September 2019}} China is also dealing with agricultural issues due global demands of products such as soybeans. This global demand is causing coupled effects that stretch across oceans which in turn is affecting other countries.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Over the past 70 years, climate change seriously reduced China's food security. Although rising annual temperatures can accelerate crop growth and potentially increase food production, climate change in China has reduced sunshine duration and made rainfall more irregular, increasing the likelihood of climate-related disasters such as drought and flooding.{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Chien-Chiang |last2=Zeng |first2=Mingli |last3=Luo |first3=Kang |title=How does climate change affect food security? Evidence from China |journal=Environmental Impact Assessment Review |date=January 2024 |volume=104 |pages=107324 |doi=10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107324 |bibcode=2024EIARv.10407324L }} Flooding decreased the yields of rice by 8% over the last 20 years. As China is the biggest food producer and importer in the world, what happens in the agricultural sector of China has an immediate effect on the global food system. China increased its grain self sufficiency by expanding agriculture areas to regions with less rain, giving them water with irrigation systems. Now those fields are at risk from water shortage while the irrigation systems demand huge amounts of water what cause depletion of groundwater in many regions. The government of China is trying to address the problem by different measures like reducing food waste, increasing international cooperation. But some of the measures like using more fertilizers produced from coal can exacerbate the problem.{{cite web |last1=Zhang |first1=Hongzhou |title=Climate change threatens China's rice bowl |url=https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/08/05/climate-change-threatens-chinas-rice-bowl/ |website=East Asia forum |date=5 August 2023 |access-date=29 September 2023}}

Due to overfishing, pollution, global temperature increase, and change in pH to the world's oceans, the South China Sea is suffering from a lack in biodiversity among marine life. Historically, China was the world's largest capture fisheries and aquaculture producer, making the fish market a significant part of the Chinese economy.{{Cite journal|last1=Zhang|first1=Wenbo|last2=Liu|first2=Min|last3=Mitcheson|first3=Yvonne Sadovy de|last4=Cao|first4=Ling|last5=Leadbitter|first5=Duncan|last6=Newton|first6=Richard|last7=Little|first7=David C.|last8=Li|first8=Songlin|last9=Yang|first9=Yi|last10=Chen|first10=Xiao|last11=Zhou|first11=Wei|date=2020|title=Fishing for feed in China: Facts, impacts and implications|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/faf.12414|journal=Fish and Fisheries|language=en|volume=21|issue=1|pages=47–62|doi=10.1111/faf.12414|bibcode= |issn=1467-2979|hdl=1893/30358|s2cid=208583444|hdl-access=free|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429045036/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/faf.12414|url-status=live}} Due to the environmental impacts, coral reefs in the South China Sea are dying, decreasing the amount of marine life in the South China Sea. Fisheries are not able to catch the amount of fish that was once brought to the fish market, making that part of the economy suffer. The amount of fishing in China is unsustainable, and therefore declining.{{Cite journal|last1=Hughes|first1=Terry P.|last2=Huang|first2=Hui|last3=Young|first3=Matthew a. L.|date=2013|title=The Wicked Problem of China's Disappearing Coral Reefs|url=https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01957.x|journal=Conservation Biology|language=en|volume=27|issue=2|pages=261–269|doi=10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01957.x|pmid=23140101|bibcode=2013ConBi..27..261H |s2cid=12911501|issn=1523-1739|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226180253/https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2012.01957.x|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}} The fishing industry supplies a significant amount of jobs, exports, and domestic consumption, which will disappear if the fishing industry collapses.{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}

{{see also|Climate policy of China|Greenhouse gas emissions by China#Mitigation}}

File:2016- China CO2 emissions.svg

In general, the climate policy of China can be described as "underpromise so that it can overdeliver". China sese for itself low climate targets that cannot surely prevent a 2 degrees temperature rise, but it mostly achieves and even overachieve its targets. China wants to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. The paramount leader{{Who|date=December 2024}} of China declared that his country will stop financing coal power plants abroad. China achieved 9 of its 15 climate targets in the Paris agreement before it was planned to happen. The climate policy of China can become more effective as a result of higher climate ambition of other countries and better cooperation with the USA.{{cite web |last1=Stalley |first1=Phillip |title=China's climate change record: Beijing tends to meet its targets, but sets the bar too low |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/china-s-climate-change-record-beijing-tends-to-meet-its-targets-but-sets-the-bar-too-low-81443 |website=Down to Earth |date=7 February 2022 |access-date=21 February 2022 |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221110907/https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/china-s-climate-change-record-beijing-tends-to-meet-its-targets-but-sets-the-bar-too-low-81443 |url-status=live }} In March 2022 China increased its fossil fuel production "amid growing fears of global energy shortages and rising concerns of an economic slump".{{cite web |title=CHINA POLICY 17 March 2022 16:00 China Briefing, 17 March 2022: Beijing 'doubling down on fossil fuels'; China's CO2 emissions increase; Coal production growth |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-17-march-2022-beijing-doubling-down-on-fossil-fuels-chinas-co2-emissions-increase-coal-production-growth |website=Carbon Brief |date=17 March 2022 |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317190133/https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-17-march-2022-beijing-doubling-down-on-fossil-fuels-chinas-co2-emissions-increase-coal-production-growth |url-status=live }} In 2024, some scientists suggested the CO₂ emissions from energy and cement may have peaked, but emissions of perfluorocarbons rose. Those gases are linked to industrial processes like production of aluminium, and non-stick cookware coatings. They account for a very little part of emissions currently, but they are thousands times stronger greenhouse gases than CO₂, stay in the atmosphere for tens of thousands years and their emissions rate increased by up to 70%.{{cite news |last1=Bardsley |first1=Daniel |title=As China makes strides on climate change, new potent emissions emerge |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2024/07/19/have-chinas-c02-emissions-peaked-and-is-it-enough-to-boost-global-climate-fight/ |access-date=22 July 2024 |agency=The National |date=18 July 2024}}

The main climate targets of China as of 2022:

• Peak {{CO2}} emissions before the year 2030.
• Reach net zero emissions before the year 2060.

Calculations in 2021 showed that for giving the world a 50% chance of avoiding a temperature rise of 2 degrees or more China should increase its climate commitments by 7%.{{cite journal |last1=R. Liu |first1=Peiran |last2=E. Raftery |first2=Adrian |date=9 February 2021 |title=Country-based rate of emissions reductions should increase by 80% beyond nationally determined contributions to meet the 2 °C target |journal=Communications Earth & Environment |volume=2 |issue=1 |page=29 |bibcode=2021ComEE...2...29L |doi=10.1038/s43247-021-00097-8 |pmc=8064561 |pmid=33899003 |doi-access=free}}{{rp|Table 1}} For a 95% chance it should increase the commitments by 24%. For giving a 50% chance of staying below 1.5 degrees China should increase its commitments by 41%.

In 2022, China issued its climate targets in the 14th Five-Year Plan. These include reducing the economy's energy intensity by 13.5%, reducing the {{CO2}} intensity of the economy by 18%, increasing in the share of non-fossil energy to about 20%. The change is in comparison to the numbers for the year 2021.{{cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=China Briefing, 24 March 2022: 14FYP energy plan; More plans on energy storage and hydrogen; China's emissions analysis |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-24-march-2022-14fyp-energy-plan-more-plans-on-energy-storage-and-hydrogen-chinas-emissions-analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220330085604/https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-24-march-2022-14fyp-energy-plan-more-plans-on-energy-storage-and-hydrogen-chinas-emissions-analysis |archive-date=30 March 2022 |access-date=30 March 2022 |website=Carbon Brief}} All three targets are to be achieved by 2025.

In the beginning of the year 2022 government-supported research said China will peak {{CO2}} emissions in the year 2027 at 12.2Gt and reach net zero carbon emissions before 2060 if it will change its development model.{{cite web |title=China Briefing, 7 April 2022: Carbon peaking 'around 2027'; EU-China summit; Food systems for cutting CO2 |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-7-april-2022-carbon-peaking-around-2027-eu-china-summit-food-systems-for-cutting-co2 |website=Carbon Brief |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=10 April 2022 |archive-date=8 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408171347/https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-7-april-2022-carbon-peaking-around-2027-eu-china-summit-food-systems-for-cutting-co2 |url-status=live }}

File:2007- New solar installations - annually by country or region.svg

{{Excerpt|Energy in China|file=no|paragraphs=1}}

{{Excerpt|Renewable energy in China|only=paragraph|paragraphs=1}}

A 2011 report by a project facilitated by World Resources Institute stated that the 11th five-year plan (2005 to 2010), in response to worsening energy intensity in the 2002-2005 period, set a goal of a 20% improvement of energy intensity. The report stated that this goal likely was achieved or nearly achieved. The next five-year plan set a goal of improving energy intensity by 16%.ChinaFAQs: China's Energy Conservation Accomplishments of the 11th Five Year Plan, ChinaFAQs on 25 July 2011, http://www.chinafaqs.org/library/chinafaqs/chinas-energy-conservation-accomplishments-11th-five-year-plan {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028084603/http://www.chinafaqs.org/library/chinafaqs/chinas-energy-conservation-accomplishments-11th-five-year-plan |date=28 October 2017 }}

China set itself a target to limit its primary energy consumption to 5 btce by 2020.{{cite web |title=China and Germany - Working for an Energy Efficient Future |url=https://www.energypartnership.cn/newsroom/energy-efficiency/ |website=Energiepartnershcaft |access-date=21 January 2024}}

In 2022 China published a plan of energy conservation for the 14th five-year plan (2021 to 2025) with a target of cutting energy consumption per unit of GDP by 13.5% by the year 2025 in comparison to the level of 2020.{{cite web |title=China Briefing, 3 February 2022: Power market reform; 'Energy-conserving' 14FYP scheme; Xi's trip to coal province |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-3-february-2022-power-market-reform-energy-conserving-14fyp-scheme-xis-trip-to-coal-province |website=Carbon Brief |date=3 February 2022 |access-date=4 February 2022 |archive-date=3 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203191225/https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-3-february-2022-power-market-reform-energy-conserving-14fyp-scheme-xis-trip-to-coal-province |url-status=live }} The plan regards 17 different sectors in the economy. In some sectors 20% - 40% of the capacities are not meeting the standards they need to meet by 2025. This policy expects to benefit the biggest companies who have the possibility to reach the targets.{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Eric |title=Climate Change: China's new five-year energy efficiency targets to drive heavy industry consolidation, analysts say |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3166968/climate-change-chinas-new-five-year-energy-efficiency-targets-drive-heavy |access-date=17 February 2022 |agency=South China Morning Post |date=14 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217055835/https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3166968/climate-change-chinas-new-five-year-energy-efficiency-targets-drive-heavy |url-status=live }}

In the provinces of China, there are various projects held aiming to solve emissions reduction and energy-saving, which is a big step in tackling climate change. Beijing is developing in replacing traditional bulbs with energy-saving light bulbs. Provinces such as Rizhao and Dezhou are promoting solar energy in the building heating system. Besides, Tsinghua University launched a lead on low-carbon city development. The city is currently working with Tsinghua University to improve the urban environment by introducing renewable energy into industries and households.{{Cite journal |last1=Ye Qi |last2=Li Ma |last3=Huanbo Zhang |last4=Huimin Li |date= December 2008|title=Translating a Global Issue Into Local Priority: China's Local Government Response to Climate Change |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1070496508326123 |journal=The Journal of Environment & Development |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=379–400 |doi=10.1177/1070496508326123 |s2cid=220735635 |issn=1070-4965|url-access=subscription }}

China advances "nearly zero energy buildings" Such buildings can consume 70% less energy in very cold areas and 60% less in other regions.{{cite web |title=Energy-Efficient Buildings in China: Standards and Financing Mechanism |url=https://transition-china.org/citiesposts/energy-efficient-buildings-in-china-standards-and-financing-mechanism/ |website=Cities and Infrastructure Transition in China |access-date=21 January 2024}} According to Jiang Wanrong (the vice-minister of housing and urban-rural development in China), 60% of the floor area in the public buildings of China was adjusted to the energy efficiency standards for buildings, as of December 2023. There are around 80 standards of this type in China.{{cite news |last1=Liqiang |first1=Hou |title=Progress made in making buildings energy-efficient |url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202312/07/WS65712534a31090682a5f1e54.html |access-date=19 January 2024 |agency=China Daily |date=7 December 2023}}

Bicycles are common in China.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} However, in the last 40 years cars use has displaced bicycles, leading to deterioration of air quality and to traffic congestion. The Chinese government responded by introducing bicycle sharing systems and bike lanes.{{cite web |title=China |url=https://www.unep.org/topics/transport/active-mobility/china |website=UN environmental programm |date=5 December 2017 |publisher=United Nations |access-date=5 May 2024}}{{cite web |title=In China's Cities, A Return to Cycling Prioritizes People and the Climate |url=https://itdp.org/2023/08/22/china-cities-return-to-cycling-prioritizes-people-and-climate/ |website=Institute for Transportation & Development policy |date=22 August 2023 |access-date=5 May 2024}} More than 360 Chinese cities have dockless bike-sharing systems that deploy nearly 20 million bicycles that travel an average of 47 million kilometres per day. According to the World Resources Institute report, dockless bike-sharing systems reduced China's GHG emissions by 4.8 million tonnes of {{CO2}} annually.{{cite book |title=How Dockless Bike-Sharing Changes Lives: An Analysis of Chinese Cities |publisher=World Resources Institute |url=https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/how-dockless-bike-sharing-changes-lives-analysis-chinese-cities_2.pdf |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214225916/https://files.wri.org/d8/s3fs-public/how-dockless-bike-sharing-changes-lives-analysis-chinese-cities_2.pdf |url-status=live }}

China makes considerable efforts to expand and improve its public transportation network, what creates health benefits and have significant importance for emission reduction.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Mike |title=China's public transit system continues to set world records — here's what the U.S. could learn |url=https://news.yahoo.com/china-public-transit-system-continues-093000914.html |access-date=5 May 2024 |agency=Yahoo |date=17 August 2023}} According to official data, in 2023 the number of trips in urban public transportation increased by 27.7%.{{cite news |last1=Борзенко |first1=Тимофій |title=China's urban passenger trips jump 27.7 pct in 2023 |url=https://ukranews.com/en/news/1002220-china-s-urban-passenger-trips-jump-27-7-pct-in-2023 |access-date=5 May 2024 |agency=Ukrainian news |publisher=Xinhua News Agency |date=2 May 2024}}

Tianjin, with more than 13 million dwellers received the Sustainable Transport Award for the year 2024 due to its efforts to improve and expand non motorized and public transport, making it accessible. The policy of the city had an impact on policies at the regional and country level and received support from the World Bank (this is its biggest investment in this domain). According to the statement of the Institute for Transportation & Development policy which accorded the award, "Thus, the city's recent investments into sustainable mobility policy and infrastructure have the potential to serve as a model for the rest of China as the nation works towards achieving carbon neutrality before 2060."{{cite news |title=Tianjin China receives 2024 sustainable transport award for walking cycling and public transport improvements |url=https://prwireindia.com/press-release/tianjin-china-receives-2024-sustainable-transport-award-for-walking-cycling-and-public-transport-improvements |access-date=26 January 2024 |agency=PR WIRE India}}{{cite web |title=Tianjin, China Receives 2024 Sustainable Transport Award for Focus on Cycling and Walking Infrastructure |url=https://www.itdp.org/2024/01/08/tianjin-china-receives-2024-sustainable-transport-award/ |website=Institute for Transportation & Development policy |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=26 January 2024}}

In 2020 the forests of China held around 7.62 billion tonnes of carbon (which are equivalent to 28 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide). By 2100 the number could elevate to 19.59 billion tonnes of carbon.{{cite web |last1=Song |first1=Wanyuan |last2=Patel |first2=Anika |last3=Evans |first3=Simon |title=China Briefing 18 April: Clean-tech 'overcapacity'; New coal construction; Interview with China Photovoltaic Industry Association |url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing-18-april-clean-tech-overcapacity-new-coal-construction-interview-with-china-photovoltaic-industry-association/ |website=Carbon Brief |date=18 April 2024 |access-date=22 April 2024}} The forest coverage of the country grew from 10% of the overall territory in 1949 to 25% in 2024 and the green belt project contributed to the achievement.

{{Main|Climate change policy of China}}

Climate change has not been a priority to China until around 2008, when this issue was brought to a higher platform. Chinese state affairs operate as a central system, not a federal system. For example, the central government makes decisions and the local governments fulfill them. As a result, the local governments receive constraints and are measured by their performance from the central governments. Solving environmental issues such as climate change requires long-term investments in money, resources, and time. It is believed that these efforts will be detrimental to economic growth, which is of particular importance to the promotion of local government executives. This is why local governments have no engagement in addressing this issue.

In China's first NDC submission, key areas were identified for climate change adaptation, including agriculture, water resources, and vulnerable areas. It also mentioned that an adaptation strategy should be implemented through regional strategies.China's First NDC Submission https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/China%20First/China%27s%20First%20NDC%20Submission.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115092218/https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/China%20First/China%27s%20First%20NDC%20Submission.pdf |date=15 November 2019 }} Flooding in cities is being tackled by collecting and recycling rainwater.{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3017761/china-taps-global-expertise-climate-change-battle-against|title=China taps into global expertise in climate change battle against increasing floods and drought|date=9 July 2019|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926171240/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3017761/china-taps-global-expertise-climate-change-battle-against|archive-date=26 September 2019|url-status=live}} In 2013, China issued its National Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation and set goals of reducing vulnerability, strengthening monitoring, and raising public awareness. Efforts on implementation have been put in adapting forestry, meteorological management, infrastructure, and risk planning.{{Cite web|url=https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf|title=GUIDE TO CHINESE CLIMATE POLICY 2018|access-date=24 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110235455/https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf|archive-date=10 January 2020|url-status=live}}

The development of technology and economy in China share more responsibility in tackling climate change. After facing the 2011 smog issue, China's government launched an extensive strategy, which is to improve air quality by reducing the growth of coal consumption. Nevertheless, the trade war that involved China as one of the leading participants has resulted in the loss of control of polluting industries, especially in the steel and cement during 2018. Fortunately, nearly 70 multinational and local brands implemented the monitoring data by The Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE) in China, stimulating nearly 8,000 suppliers approaching regulatory violations.{{Cite magazine |date=2019-09-12 |title=How China Can Truly Lead the Fight Against Climate Change |url=https://time.com/5669061/china-climate-change/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |magazine=Time |language=en}}

The Paris agreement is a legally binding international agreement. Its main goal is to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.{{Cite web|title=The Paris Agreement|url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement|access-date=10 May 2021|website=unfccc.int|archive-date=19 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319205057/https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement|url-status=live}} The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the plans to fight climate change adapted for each country, which outlines specific goals and targets for the upcoming five years to help mitigate the effects of climate change.{{Cite web|title=NDC spotlight|url=https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions/ndc-spotlight|access-date=12 May 2021|website=UNFCCC|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510083421/https://unfccc.int/process/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions/ndc-spotlight|url-status=live}} Every party in the agreement has different targets based on its own historical climate records and country's circumstances and all the targets for each country are stated in their NDC.{{cite web|title=Nationally Determined Contributions|url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs#eq-5|access-date=15 May 2021|website=unfccc|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509122153/https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs/nationally-determined-contributions-ndcs#eq-5|url-status=live}}

China is currently a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement. As a part of this agreement it has agreed to the 2016 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

The NDC target regarding the China against climate change and greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris agreement are the following:{{Cite web|url=https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/China%20First/China%27s%20First%20NDC%20Submission.pdf|title=China first DNC|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115092218/https://www4.unfccc.int/sites/ndcstaging/PublishedDocuments/China%20First/China%27s%20First%20NDC%20Submission.pdf|url-status=live}}

• Peak of carbon dioxide emissions around 2030.
• 60% to 65% reduction of Carbon dioxide emission per unit of its gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 2005.
• Increase the forest stock volume by around 4.5 billion cubic meters on the 2005 level.

In the NDC of China there is a list of things that have been achieved by 2014:

• Proactive approach to climate change (for example enhancing mechanisms to effectively defend key areas).

China launched the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) in 2020. It measures the contribution of ecosystems to the economy, including by regulating climate. In 2023, already 15 local governments have issued guidelines about it, and around 200 projects were launched. The first province to issue local rules about GEP was Zhejiang , and a year later it has already decided the fate of a project in the Deqing region. For example, the GEP of Chengtian Radon Spring Nature Reserve has been calculated as US$43 million.{{cite web |last1=Mengnan |first1=Jiang |title=Zhejiang counts 'gross ecosystem product' of nature reserve |url=https://chinadialogue.net/en/digest/zhejiang-counts-gross-ecosystem-product-of-nature-reserve/ |website=China Dialogue |date=4 April 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024}}

Climate action tracker (CAT) is an independent scientific analysis that tracks government climate action and measures it against the globally agreed Paris Agreement. Climate action tracker found China actions to be "Highly insufficient".{{Cite web|title=China {{!}} Climate Action Tracker|url=https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china/|access-date=16 May 2021|website=climateactiontracker.org|archive-date=15 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515121847/https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/china/|url-status=live}}

According to analysis from the Global Energy Monitor: "China accounts for more than 95 per cent of the coal plant capacity beginning construction in 2023". The report said that "building new unabated coal power plants must stop to limit global warming to the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius".{{cite web |last1=Prasad |first1=Seema |title=India, Indonesia, Bangladesh & Vietnam host to most under-construction coal projects worldwide: Report |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/energy/india-indonesia-bangladesh-vietnam-host-to-most-under-construction-coal-projects-worldwide-report-93039 |website=Down to Earth |date=28 November 2023 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |access-date=1 December 2023}}

{{Excerpt|Chinese national carbon trading scheme}}

{{See also|Eco-cities in China}}

The Chinese government has strategically promoted eco-cities in China as a policy measure for addressing rising greenhouse gas emissions resulting from China's rapid urbanization and industrialization.{{Cite book |last=Sandalow |first=David |url=https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf |title=Guide to Chinese Climate Policy |date=July 2018 |publisher=Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy |isbn=978-1-7261-8430-4 |location=New York |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227115928/https://energypolicy.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/pictures/Guide%20to%20Chinese%20Climate%20Policy%207-27-18.pdf |archive-date=2022-02-27 |url-status=live}} These projects seek to blend green technologies and sustainable infrastructure to build large, environmentally friendly cities nationwide.{{Cite journal |last1=Hunter |first1=Garfield Wayne |last2=Sagoe |first2=Gideon |last3=Vettorato |first3=Daniele |last4=Jiayu |first4=Ding |date=2019-08-11 |title=Sustainability of Low Carbon City Initiatives in China: A Comprehensive Literature Review |journal=Sustainability |language=en |volume=11 |issue=16 |pages=4342 |doi=10.3390/su11164342 |issn=2071-1050 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2019Sust...11.4342H }} The government has launched three programs to incentivize cities to undertake eco-city construction,{{cite journal |last1=de Jong |first1=Martin |last2=Yu |first2=Chang |last3=Joss |first3=Simon |last4=Wennersten |first4=Ronald |last5=Yu |first5=Li |last6=Zhang |first6=Xiaoling |last7=Ma |first7=Xin |title=Eco city development in China: addressing the policy implementation challenge |journal=Journal of Cleaner Production |date=October 2016 |volume=134 |pages=31–41 |doi=10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.03.083 |bibcode=2016JCPro.134...31D |url=http://westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/16937/1/De%20Jong%20article%202%20Accepted%20Manuscript%20%289%20April%202016%29.pdf }} encouraging hundreds of cities to announce plans for eco-city developments.{{Cite thesis|last=Xu |first=Miao |date=2023 |title=Developer-led new eco-cities in China - identification, assessment and solution of environmental issues in planning |url=https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-325789 |url-status=live |journal= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530033008/https://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1750958&dswid=4830 |archive-date=2023-05-30}}

{{main|Debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation}}

File:Xie Zhenhua, Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs of China (43831173445).jpg, Special Representative for Climate Change Affairs of China, speaking at the Global Climate Action Summit in 2018.]]

Attitudes of the Chinese government on climate change, specifically regarding the role of China in climate change action, have shifted notably in recent years. Historically, climate change was largely seen as a problem that has been created by and should be solved by industrialized countries; in 2015, China said it supports the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle,{{Cite news|title=China reaffirms the key principle of 'common but differentiated responsibility'|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/XiattendsParisclimateconference/2015-12/01/content_22597769.htm|url-status=live|access-date=1 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010225451/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/XiattendsParisclimateconference/2015-12/01/content_22597769.htm|archive-date=10 October 2019}} which holds that since China is still developing, its abilities and capacities to reduce emissions are comparatively lower than developed countries'.{{Cite news|date=29 October 2021|title=Why China's climate policy matters to us all|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57483492|access-date=22 February 2022|archive-date=12 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312113138/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-57483492|url-status=live}}

In 2012, China established its National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation as part of its effort to develop world-class research in this area.{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=Joanna I. |title=Cooperating for the Climate: Learning from International Partnerships in China's Clean Energy Sector |date=2023 |publisher=The MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-54482-5 |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts}}{{Rp|page=105}} Like the National Development and Reform Commission's Energy Research Institute, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy regularly works with international research institutions and think tanks.{{Rp|page=105}}

In 2018, the government has urged countries to continue to support the Paris agreement, even in the wake of the United States' withdrawal in 2017.{{Cite news|title=China Is a Climate Leader but Still Isn't Doing Enough on Emissions, Report Says|work=The New York Times |date=19 July 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/asia/china-climate-change-report.html|url-status=live|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022143639/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/19/world/asia/china-climate-change-report.html|archive-date=22 October 2019|last1=Wong |first1=Edward }} In 2020, Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced at the UN General Assembly in New York that his country will end its contribution to global heating and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 by adopting "more vigorous policies and measures."

Both internationally and within the People's Republic of China, there has been an ongoing debate over China's economic responsibilities for climate change mitigation. The argument has been made that China has a crucial role to play in keeping global warming under 2 °C, and that this cannot be accomplished unless coal use, which accounts for the majority of China's emissions,{{Cite web|date=5 September 2019|title=Guest post: Why China's CO2 emissions grew 4% during first half of 2019|url=https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-why-chinas-co2-emissions-grew-4-during-first-half-of-2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924055204/https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-why-chinas-co2-emissions-grew-4-during-first-half-of-2019|archive-date=24 September 2019|access-date=26 September 2019|website=Carbon Brief|language=en}} falls sharply.{{Cite news|date=19 September 2019|title=Are dictatorships better than democracies at fighting climate change?|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/09/19/are-dictatorships-better-than-democracies-at-fighting-climate-change|url-status=live|access-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004022223/https://www.economist.com/asia/2019/09/19/are-dictatorships-better-than-democracies-at-fighting-climate-change|archive-date=4 October 2019|issn=0013-0613}}{{Cite news|last=McGrath|first=Matt|date=20 November 2019|title=China coal surge threatens Paris climate targets|language=en-GB|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50474824|url-status=live|access-date=20 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120171118/https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-50474824|archive-date=20 November 2019}} CCP general secretary Xi Jinping says China will "phase down" coal use from 2026 - and will not build new coal-fired projects abroad - but some governments and campaigners say the plans are not going far enough.

The People's Republic of China is an active participant in the climate change talks and other multilateral environmental negotiations, and claims to take environmental challenges seriously but is pushing for the developed world to help developing countries to a greater extent.

However the Belt and Road Initiative is constructing coal-fired power stations (for example Emba Hunutlu power station in Turkey) thus increasing greenhouse gas emissions from other countries.{{Cite web|title=China's Belt and Road Initiative Could Drive Warming to 2.7 Degrees|url=https://e360.yale.edu/digest/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-could-drive-warming-to-2-7-degrees|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925175240/https://e360.yale.edu/digest/chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-could-drive-warming-to-2-7-degrees|archive-date=25 September 2019|access-date=25 September 2019|website=Yale E360|language=en-US}}

File:Jairam Ramesh meeting with the Environment Ministers from BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) to discuss the post Copenhagen scenario on Climate Change, in New Delhi on January 24, 2010.jpgs from the BASIC countries, which includes China, meet in 2010 to discuss climate change mitigation following the COP15 summit.]]

China is a part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, BASIC Alliance.  This alliance is an international commitment to work in partnership with Brazil, South Africa, and India.{{Cite web|title=Party Groupings|url=https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement|access-date=1 March 2021|website=unfccc.int|archive-date=19 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319205057/https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement|url-status=live}} BASIC's international commitments and goals are to be carbon net-zero before 2060, and to help achieve the global goal from the UNFCCC of reducing emissions to 1.5% degrees Celsius before pre-industrial levels. In 2021, at the UN General Assembly, Chinese leader Xi Jinping stated that China will no longer fund coal-fired power plants abroad. Xi also repeated the country's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/1c2d592e-2a63-4afd-bda4-69cb406c9d86|title=China pledges to stop building coal-fired power plants overseas|access-date=21 September 2021|website=Financial Times|date=21 September 2021|archive-date=22 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922003534/https://www.ft.com/content/1c2d592e-2a63-4afd-bda4-69cb406c9d86|url-status=live}}

In 2022 the cooperation on climate issues between China and US considerably improved. The countries create "a group from both countries to work toward quickly reducing greenhouse gas emissions." John Kerry mentioned a possibility of technological help from the part of US and informational help from the part of China.{{cite news |last1=PRENGAMAN |first1=PETER |title=At Davos, Kerry cites progress on China-US climate group |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-world-economic-forum-climate-politics-technology-f783a29f3f1a54e6dc78f5efc0210e15 |access-date=27 May 2022 |agency=Associaeted Press |date=24 May 2022 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526232138/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-world-economic-forum-climate-politics-technology-f783a29f3f1a54e6dc78f5efc0210e15 |url-status=live }}

In July 2023 John Kerry visited China for advance climate cooperation. The main achievement of the visit was some progress in the fields of: "methane reduction commitments; reducing China's reliance on coal; China's objections to trade restrictions on solar panel and battery components; and climate finance." This was obtained despite many currently existing obstacles to cooperation.{{cite web |last1=Blaine |first1=Tegan |last2=Freeman |first2=Carla |last3=Tugendhat |first3=Henry |title=What Does John Kerry's Visit Mean for U.S.-China Climate Cooperation? |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/07/what-does-john-kerrys-visit-mean-us-china-climate-cooperation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720232934/https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/07/what-does-john-kerrys-visit-mean-us-china-climate-cooperation |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 July 2023 |website=United States Institute of Peace |access-date=30 July 2023}}

In July 2023 China and the European Union hold the Fourth EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue, declaring they will continue to cooperate in stopping climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Both sides agree to ensure the success of COP28, implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, advance the High Seas Treaty, cooperate in water policy, reach a global agreement on plastic pollution by 2024. Both sides agree to support Circular economy.{{cite web |title=Joint Press Release following the Fourth EU-China High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china/joint-press-release-following-fourth-eu-china-high-level-environment-and-climate-dialogue_en |website=Delegation of the European Union to the People's Republic of China |publisher=the European Union |access-date=30 July 2023}}

In recent times the China government has made climate change a national strategy and integrated it into the overall layout of ecological civilization construction and economic and social development. Systematic thinking has been incorporated throughout the process of carbon peaking and neutrality. Indeed, China regards green and low-carbon development as an important part of its national economic and social development plan.{{cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Chien-Chiang |last2=Zeng |first2=Mingli |last3=Luo |first3=Kang |title=How does climate change affect food security? Evidence from China |journal=Environmental Impact Assessment Review |date=January 2024 |volume=104 |pages=107324 |doi=10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107324 |bibcode=2024EIARv.10407324L }}

File:Juncture of three main rivers in Ningbo China.jpg

China has experienced a seven-fold increase in the frequency of floods since the 1950s, rising every decade. The frequency of extreme rainfall has increased and is predicted to continue to increase in the western and southern parts of China. The country is currently undertaking efforts to reduce the threat of these floods (which have the potential effect of completely destroying vulnerable communities), largely focusing on improving the infrastructure responsible for tracking and maintaining adequate water levels. That being said, the country is promoting the extension of technologies for water allocation and water-saving mechanisms. In the country's National Climate Change Policy Program, one of the goals specifically set out is to enhance the ability to bear the impacts of climate change, as well as to raise the public awareness on climate change. China's National Climate Change Policy states that it will integrate climate change policies into the national development strategy. In China, this national policy comes in the form of its "Five Year Plans for Economic and Social Development". China's Five Year Plans serve as the strategic road maps for the country's development. The goals spelled out in the Five Year Plans are mandatory as government officials are held responsible for meeting the targets.King et al. 2012. [http://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/research/library/The%20Response%20of%20China%20India%20and%20Brazil%20to%20Climate%20Change_%20A%20perspective%20for%20South%20Africa.pdf "The Response of China, India, and Brazil to Climate Change."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509001158/http://www.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/research/library/The%20Response%20of%20China%20India%20and%20Brazil%20to%20Climate%20Change_%20A%20perspective%20for%20South%20Africa.pdf|date=9 May 2014}} Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment. University of Oxford.

The Great Green Wall is a major tree planting initiative aiming to combat climate change.{{Cite web |last=Moxley|first=Mitch|date=2010-09-23 |title=China's great green wall grows in climate fight |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/sep/23/china-great-green-wall-climate |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} In November 2024, China's government reported, that after 46 years of work it finished the 3,000 kilometers green belt around the Taklamakan Desert.The part of the country covered by deserts declined from 27.2% in previouse decade to 26.8%.{{cite news |title=China completes 3,000-km green belt around its biggest desert, state media says |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/china-completes-3-000-km-112549261.html |access-date=8 December 2024 |agency=Yahoo |publisher=Reuters |date=29 November 2024}}

{{Further|Environmentalism in China}}

File:Howey Ou 2.jpg, a Chinese climate activist.]]

According to a study from 2017 conducted by the China Climate Change Communication program, 94% of interviewees supported fulfilling the Paris agreement, 96.8% of interviewees supported international cooperation on global climate change, and more than 70% of interviewees were willing to purchase environmentally friendly products. 98.7% of interviewees supported implementing climate change education at schools. Respondents were most concerned about the air pollution caused by climate change.{{Cite journal|date=November 2017|title=中国公众气候变化与气候传播认知情况调研报告|url=http://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-comms-20171108/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%85%AC%E4%BC%97%E6%B0%94%E5%80%99%E8%AE%A4%E7%9F%A5%E8%B0%83%E7%A0%942017.pdf|url-status=live|journal=中国公众气候变化与气候传播认知情况调研报告|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418092929/http://www.efchina.org/Attachments/Report/report-comms-20171108/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%85%AC%E4%BC%97%E6%B0%94%E5%80%99%E8%AE%A4%E7%9F%A5%E8%B0%83%E7%A0%942017.pdf|archive-date=18 April 2018|access-date=18 April 2018}} The investigation included 4025 samples.

The investigation showed that Chinese citizens agreed that they were experiencing climate change and that it was caused by human activities.{{Cite web|date=2 November 2017|title=2017年中国公众气候变化与气候传播认知状况调研报告发布|url=http://www.sohu.com/a/201860164_100011535|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216102737/http://www.sohu.com/a/201860164_100011535|archive-date=16 December 2019|access-date=10 April 2018|website=www.sohu.com}}

Furthermore, most Chinese citizens believe individual action on climate change can help, although the government is still seen as the entity most responsible for dealing with climate change. If the government does take action, fiscal and taxation policies are seen as potentially effective.{{Cite journal|last1=Yu|first1=Hao|last2=Wang|first2=Bing|last3=Zhang|first3=Yue-Jun|last4=Wang|first4=Shouyang|last5=Wei|first5=Yi-Ming|date=22 May 2013|title=Public perception of climate change in China: results from the questionnaire survey|journal=Natural Hazards|volume=69|issue=1|pages=459–472|doi=10.1007/s11069-013-0711-1|bibcode=2013NatHa..69..459Y |issn=0921-030X|s2cid=140627529}}

File:She Said (Tianjin, China).jpg

In 2019, activist Howey Ou staged the country's first school strike for climate in Guilin. Organisations connected to the government, such as China Youth Climate Action Network, have also disseminated training and public awareness activities related to the issue.{{Cite web |last=Standaert |first=Michael |date=2019-09-18 |title=China's young climate heroes fight apathy – and the party line |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/18/china-young-climate-heroes-fight-apathy-party-line |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

{{Portal|Climate change|China}}

• China Carbon Forum
• China Beijing Environmental Exchange
• Deforestation and climate change
• Environment of China
• Green growth in China
• Plug-in electric vehicles in China
• Tianjin Climate Exchange

{{Reflist}}{{Energy in the People's Republic of China}}

{{Climate change regions|state=expanded}}

Category:Environmental issues in China

Category:Climate change by country