The number of global climate initiatives launched or run by China has been growing since 2009, a new study shows. But whether this will translate into China taking up the mantle of climate leadership remains an “open question”, says Dr Sun Yixian, study co-author and professor of sustainability governance at the University of Bath. Sun’s team has compiled a database tracking all global environmental initiatives established from the 1980s onwards that were launched or run by China. These initiatives are either created by China or co-created with other governments, or have operations that are mainly managed by Chinese institutions. They range from research cooperation and south-south climate funding to high-level policy signalling, such as joint statements on climate change. In an interview with Carbon Brief, Sun discusses the key findings of the new “China’s Global Environmental Leadership” (CGEL) database. He adds that it is not yet clear if the US withdrawal from the UN climate regime will change China’s role in global climate governance. The conversation covers how the number of China-led initiatives has changed over time, what these projects look like and how China’s approach to climate “leadership” is changing. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Sun on the types of climate initiatives: “There are all different kinds of initiatives – we have these typologies of governance functions, including sharing information and building platforms, or developing capacity – capacity building activities, which can be training delivered by China to other countries. Or also by providing funding,…
