China's Climate Change Mitigation Policy: Challenges and Achievements

China’s climate policy plays a key role in the world’s efforts to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement as the country accounts for about 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions. China forms climate legislation through a combination of laws, five-year plans and industry standards, supported by policy initiatives (the “dual carbon target”, peaking emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060). Although there is no single “climate law”, all documents are aimed at fulfilling these ambitious commitments through coordinated activities of ministries and departments up to 2030 and 2060. This article examines China’s key achievements in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, including leadership in the development of renewable energy sources, the creation of the largest national carbon trading market and the stated goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Particular attention is paid to structural challenges: continued dependence on coal, regional imbalances in the energy transition, as well as the growth of energy consumption against the backdrop of urbanization. The analysis and ranking of the instruments used to implement climate policy, such as political decisions, institutions, laws, green financing, trading quotas and the carbon market, research and development, and international cooperation, is conducted. Government agencies and institutions coordinate measures to reduce emissions, transition to green energy, and generate reports on the implementation of international commitments. The success of China's climate strategy depends on overcoming the contradictions between short-term economic interests and long-term environmental goals, as well as on the transformation of the energy sector and strengthening of regulatory mechanisms. Using the Logic proposition, the instruments for shaping the current stage of China's climate policy are considered and ranked.

climate policy instruments, China, greenhouse gases, energy transition