ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how the rapid economic and industrial modernization of China meets the climate challenge. It tracks Chinese policy development from climate neglect under early economic modernization, to climate engagement at later stages of economic development. It shows the subsequent Chinese leaders have hinged their legitimacy on the development imperative and how a slowdown of concern for climate consequences would simply not be politically viable for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Yet the chapter also demonstrates the energy efficiency to allow continued economic growth and further upgrading of the Chinese economy. While the climate challenge remains of secondary concern to the average Chinese citizen there have been increasing concerns over air and soil pollution. The only alternative is to improve Chinese economy's energy efficiency to decelerate overall energy consumption. The Chinese Communist government has shown itself capable of making bold policy moves to stimulate renewable energy, as long as it sees this as serving the interests of the nation.
