Global Public Policy Institute
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11 April 2011
GPPi presents on China’s role in international climate negotiations at German Bundestag
On 8 April 2011, GPPi Research Associate Björn Conrad gave a presentation on China’s changing role in international climate change negotiations during an expert discussion round convened by the Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group at the German Bundestag.
Panelists also included Eva Sternfeld of the Technische Universität Berlin and Klaus Heidel of Werkstatt Ökonomie. Sternfeld presented on the domestic dimension of China's climate change policy, while Heidel discussed the role of China's civil society in climate change policy making. The event was hosted and moderated by members of parliament Viola von Cramon and Hermann Ott.
In his presentation, Conrad used the 2009 UN climate negotiations in Copenhagen as a backdrop to illustrate China’s fundamental interests in the climate policy arena and its positions on key political differences, from emission reduction targets and climate justice to transparency concerns and technology transfer. Conrad explained the apparent contradiction between China's ambitious domestic climate change agenda and its obstinate approach to international climate negotiations. He highlighted the fundamental changes in China's role and negotiating position in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Although these changes have thus far not significantly altered the negotiation dynamics and outcomes, they do potentially open new windows for international cooperation. Conrad’s talk was based on his research conducted for the GPPi project Global Climate Change Governance and the Making of China's Climate Change Policy.
The three presentations were followed by a discussion that covered a variety of issues related to China's climate change policy, including China's plans for nuclear energy expansion, global competition for green-technology leadership and China's renewable energy engagement in Africa.
For more information please contact Björn Conrad.