China, the second largest economy and the largest populated country in the world is in the process of transformation. Having originated from an industrial revolution implemented with energy sourced from coal, China has over the years shifted its approach toward green energy and its international environmental policy. The journey towards a green and sustainable future for China involves two main fronts: American local and global energy measures and programs. Collectively, they form a new model towards sustainability for not just China but for the whole world.

For many years, the Chinese economic success was powered up by coal hence high pollution levels earning China a reputation as the world’s biggest carbon emitter. But the way this country looked at energy and environmental disaster started shifting in the early millennium. Understandably concerned with the impact of pollution on the health of its population base and the sustainable growth of its economy, the Chinese leadership agreed to undertake a master plan to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources to its electricity mix.

The country’s commitment to attain peak in carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2060 is consistent with the global target of staying below the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark of warming above pre-industrial levels.

China’s domestic green initiatives include its aggressive rush in renewable power generation from wind, solar and hydroelectric power. China is the world’s largest market for renewable energy and has poured tremendous amounts of money on solar power facilities. The country has investments in mega solar power plants; the largest of them is Desert Solar Power Station also called the ‘Great Wall of Solar’ increases with an area of over 1,200 MV. These initiatives epitomize China’s aspiration for free itself from dependence on coal and explore cleaner energy sources. In 2020, it can be evident that solar and wind aspect of China’s generation mix has risen to almost 26percent as a proportion of the total generating capacity, up from previous years.

Also, in domestic context, China has implemented very aggressive measures to promote electric vehicles (EVs) as its green drive policy. The government offers vast subsidies for both the makers of EVs, and their consumers and China now owns the largest EV market in the world. Some countries such as China has started implementing electric transport means in its cities such as Shenzhen that now boasts of having an all-electric public transport system that has decreased city air pollution. In addition, even domestic players such as BYD and NIO are turning into industry leaders in the EV market, which reflects technological advancement of China in the sphere of clean transportation.

Based on the just concluded UN General Assembly Speech in 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised to achieve the goal of neutrality in carbon emissions by the year 2060. This challenging goal demonstrates that China will continue to build a plan to address climate change and adopt sustainable development goals. China has employed a range of measures to achieve this – higher emissions standards, a policy to shut down dirty coal-power stations, and new standards for green buildings. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for 2021 to 2025 puts heavy focus on renewable energy with Wind, Solar and Nuclear energy as the main strategic commodities in China’s Energy mix.

Another essential domestic measure is China’s carbon trading market that started in 2021 to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Corporate emission permits have now been moved under a market within it has made it the largest carbon market globally. Forcing companies to set up pollution caps for greenhouse gases and making it financially rewarding for China’s firms to pursue more sustainable business models, China is relying on market mechanisms to promote environmentally friendly practices. The effectiveness of this market will be fundamental to China’s ability to meet its climate goals and brand the country as environmentally friendly.

China has also invested in wind power in African countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia for enhancing economic growth and participate in the process of decarbonization globally.

Chinese domestic green initiatives are observed in its global energy commitment where it is both a pioneer and a partner. The general energy strategy of the country is rooted in the BRI which is an infrastructure investment project across Asia, Africa and Europe. Despite its early support for fossil fuel projects, the BRI has recently paid more attention on renewable energy infrastructure in host countries.

That means China funded countless solar, wind, and hydropower projects in developing countries that have shifted from coal since the BRI. For instance, the Chinese government has agreed with the Pakistani government to build the largest solar power plant in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park. This project not only adds green energy capacity to Pakistan but at the same time it sends a right message of Chinese intention in exporting renewable energy.

Also, China has also invested in wind power in African countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia for enhancing economic growth and participate in the process of decarbonization globally. But apart from supporting green projects fiscally, China has turned into a powerhouse of renewable technology production globally. It remains the largest supplier of solar panels, wind turbines, as well as lithium-ion batteries on the global market. The Chinese electrochemical technology company CATL and electronics company BYD are among the leading manufacturers of electric vehicle batteries for both domestic and export markets. Therefore, China has a unique advantage in the process of global energy transformation by leading renewable technologies to guide the international energy development and policies.

Some of the ways through which China has signaled its commitment to international environment include the country has ratified to the Paris Agreement amongst other global climate agreements. It is notable that China is one of the top contributors to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, whose participation is of great importance to climate-change-related efforts on the international level. The country’s commitment to attain peak in carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2060 is consistent with the global target of staying below the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark of warming above pre-industrial levels.