Skip navigation
China’s Changing Economy
Report

China’s Changing Economy

Implications for Its Carbon Dioxide Emissions

LSE, 2016

auto-generated audio
auto-generated audio

Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

In this well-documented article, researchers Fergus Green and Nicholas Stern look at the connection between China’s changing economy and its commitment to reach its carbon dioxide emissions peak by 2030. The authors present an in-depth analysis of the effects of China’s new economic growth model on the country’s economy and environmental sustainability.  Green and Stern surprisingly conclude that China may already have moved beyond its peak in terms of carbon emissions. getAbstract recommends this academic paper to readers interested in environmental issues and international economics.

Summary

China’s enormous economic growth at the beginning of the 21st century came with high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. China has promised to “peak emissions around 2030.” Some researchers don’t think that is possible, but their calculations don’t take into account the changes in China’s energy sector and its economic strategy.

In the past, China focused on “energy-intensive, heavy industries” resulting in rapid economic growth – and a dramatic increase in coal consumption. By 2013, China imported half of all coal produced...

About the Authors

Nicholas Stern is the chair of the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics & Political Science, where Fergus Green is a researcher and climate policy consultant.


Comment on this summary