Abstract
As the largest developing country, China1 has become a primary focus of discussions about involving developing nations in global climate change mitigation efforts. China is now the world’s largest source of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions,2 accounting for 29% of global annual emissions.3 Excessive CO2 emissions in China not only contribute to global climate change, but also endanger the lives of countless citizens and sap the nation’s economic vitality. In response, the Chinese government has been taking steps to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to combat climate change. This article examines climate change actions in China by reviewing the Constitution, discussing the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in environmental legislation, and introducing selected national laws relevant to climate change. China’s implementation of its international obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)4 and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is also examined. Finally, weaknesses in Chinese environmental law and legal regime are analyzed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | ELR China Update |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |