Towards an analytical governance framework within the policy dimension in China: the evolution of national climate policies since 1978

Given the limitations of existing China's climate governance studies, this research calls for more critical engagement with the broader contexts, clearer governance dimensions, and driving factors behind the evolution of climate policy within China. Drawing upon existing work, a policy-dimensioned framework is developed to study the evolution of Chinese governance and policy on climate change. A case study of the evolution of China's national climate policy since 1978 is undertaken against this framework. The findings elaborate how China has applied various national policy tools since the 1990s to address climate change. Particular modes and forms build on, rather than completely replace, previous ones. A wide range of contextual and agential factors are related to this evolution. Experimentation has been a sustained theme for decades, while state political figures can be profoundly influential in policy development.

Automated summary

This research highlights the need for more critical engagement with the broader contexts, clearer governance dimensions, and driving factors behind the evolution of climate policy within China due to limitations in existing studies. By developing a policy-dimensioned framework, the study reveals how China has utilized various national policy tools since the 1990s to address climate change, building on previous modes and forms rather than completely replacing them. A wide range of contextual and agential factors, along with experimentation and influence from state political figures, are related to this evolution in Chinese climate governance.