Energy and Climate
International flows of finance and technology from China are shaping the global landscape of energy infrastructure, with profound implications for climate change, the environment and local livelihoods.
The Global China Initiative’s program on Energy and Climate conducts research on the composition and impacts of China’s overseas energy projects. This work sheds light on political and economic factors determining energy choices by China and countries that borrow or receive financing from China. The program also aims to identify regional, country-level and institutional opportunities for shifting development finance and overseas engagement towards renewable energy sources.
Research Highlights
Energy and Climate – Latest News and Publications
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China, South-South Cooperation and Supporting Green Development
October 21, 2024By Jiaqi Lu The exchange of knowledge, technology and resources among developing countries through South-South cooperation has been crucial in driving green development forward. Over the past two decades, China has emerged as a key player in South-South cooperation through its... [ More ]
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Green Opening-up and South-South Cooperation
October 18, 2024The systemic impacts of climate change and environmental degradation are evolving profoundly, highlighting the vulnerability of public systems and governance capabilities in developing countries under multidimensional challenges. From a regional perspective, developing countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, Latin America and other... [ More ]
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Sustainable Trade and Sustainable Supply Chains
October 18, 2024A global transition toward sustainable trade and supply chains is essential in the age of climate change and energy decarbonization. Low-carbon technologies (LCTs) and the related minerals are at the forefront of this transition, playing a critical role in reducing... [ More ]
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Trading Partners and Market Shapers: The Role of China in the Global Trade of Low-carbon Technologies
October 18, 2024By Jiaqi Lu As the world faces the urgent challenges of climate change, global trade for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) is becoming increasingly critical to meeting the surging demand for clean energy. Low-carbon technologies, ranging from renewable energy to electric vehicles and energy... [ More ]
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GDP Center Round-up: The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
August 27, 2024By Akanksha Goyal and Angie Ye The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024, with African leaders and members of FOCAC scheduled to attend. Since the inception of the FOCAC in... [ More ]
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Africa Takes the Wheel: The Role of Host States in Shaping Outcomes of Chinese-Supported Power Generation Projects in Africa
August 14, 2024Chinese companies have installed over 25 GW of generation capacity in Africa, making up more than 15 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s installed generation capacity. Despite their undeniable contribution to the power sector in sub-Saharan Africa, the price and investment outcomes... [ More ]
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Driving Change: The Role of African Host States in Shaping Chinese-Supported Power Projects
August 14, 2024By Naa Adjekai Adjei In the last 10 years, Chinese companies have significantly transformed Africa's infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. However, when examining Africa-China engagement, research has predominantly focused on China's influence, with limited attention given to the role of... [ More ]
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Chinese Investment in Africa: A Double-Edged Sword for Low-carbon Industrialization
July 28, 2024By Keyi Tang, Solomon Owusu and Gideon Ndubuisi China's economic ties with Africa have grown significantly since the early 2000s. China is currently the largest bilateral trading partner and top export destination for most countries in Africa, and since 2013, China... [ More ]
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Chinese Economic Ties and Low-carbon Industrialization in Africa
July 28, 2024Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000 and the China-Africa Development Fund in 2006, China’s economic ties with Africa have grown and deepened significantly. However, China’s deepening connections and in particular, its foreign direct investment (FDI), [ More ]
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Tracking Carbon Neutrality Around the World with the Decarbonization Index
July 08, 2024By Jiaqi Lu The phasing down of carbon-based fossil energy in a just and orderly way is essential for mitigating the worst impacts of climate change. To ensure political feasibility, the Paris Agreement incorporates all existing types of measurements for climate commitments, [ More ]