ABSTRACT
China’s importance in the international climate change regime cannot be underestimated. On one hand, various analyses indicate that China has surpassed the USA and has become the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter in terms of annual emissions (Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency 2007). On the other hand, Beijing has repeatedly refused to commit to any kind of mandatory reduction obligation in the international climate negotiations (Lewis 2007). It is imperative for the international community to engage China effectively in any coordinated effort to combat global warming. Unlike any other conventional air pollution that is either local or regional, climate change is global, and every nation has a stake (International Panel on Climate Change 2007). All countries will be affected by the adverse impacts of the most far-reaching environmental problem faced by human society. China is not immune to such adverse impacts, although it may not be hit as heavily as some low-lying island countries in the near term. China’s own research has pointed out that China is one of the most vulnerable nations to the potential risks of climate change (National Development and Reform Commission 2007). It is therefore in China’s own interest to work with other major emitters to avoid the catastrophic consequences of climate change.
