Institutional Logic of Carbon Neutrality Policies in China: What Can We Learn?

Cheng Zhou, Ruilian Zhang, Julia Loginova, Vigya Sharma, Zhonghua Zhang and Zaijian Qian
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Cheng Zhou: School of Public Administration, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Ruilian Zhang: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Julia Loginova: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Vigya Sharma: Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining, Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Zhonghua Zhang: Beijing Tianying Zero Carbon Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd., China Tianying Inc., Beijing 102200, China
Zaijian Qian: School of Public Administration, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Global warming is a critical crisis threatening human survival and development. International organizations and countries worldwide are introducing policies and practices to achieve carbon neutrality. In China, numerous carbon neutrality policies have been established; however, a systematic understanding of the underlying policy logic is lacking. Using the institutional analysis and development (IAD) framework, this paper analyzes selected carbon neutrality policies in China. We conducted a bibliometric visualization analysis of the texts of 20 policies and matched their logic to the elements of the IAD framework. We established 90 keywords with occurrences of no less than 10 times in China’s carbon neutrality policies. The network visualization analysis identified six clusters. We discuss implementation challenges of China’s carbon neutrality policies, address the policy implementation, and finally outline impacts on China’s carbon neutrality governance. This study responds to the global concern over China’s carbon neutrality commitments by clarifying the institutional logic of China’s policies and actions. This study could provide a reference for countries worldwide that are designing and introducing carbon neutrality policies.

Keywords: carbon neutrality; energy transition; public policy; institutional logic; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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