How China quietly became the world’s climate policy leader

In contrast to the United States, which innovates and influences, and the European Union, which regulates, China has become the world’s climate doer.

Beyond the headlines of decoupling, tariffs and geopolitical rivalry, an underappreciated global transformation is quietly under way: China, often framed as the world’s factory and climate laggard, has, almost by stealth, become the world’s undisputed climate leader.

This may sit uncomfortably with Western policymakers, and perhaps even with some Chinese officials themselves, but the numbers and pace of change are striking and demand recognition.

US retrenchment on climate action in recent years, which has accelerated over the past 12 months under President Donald Trump, coupled with a general lack of clear stewardship from the West, has left a vacuum.

Though Europe still shapes regulatory standards and global climate rhetoric finds its messy centre in the US, neither can lay claim to truly tangible progress on the scale now evident in China.

China’s climate leadership is pragmatic and driven by trade. Unlike the West, Beijing does not seek to export ideology or pursue cultural dominance. Instead, its blend of domestic discipline, long-term planning, technological investment and the relentless pursuit of clearly defined national goals has resulted in the country’s emergence as the forerunner without much of the world noticing.

By any measure, China’s rise as a green champion is staggering. Two-thirds of global electric vehicle (EV) sales in 2024 were in China. Half of the new cars sold domestically are electric, compared with about 10 per cent in the US and 20 per cent in Europe. China is responsible for over 70 per cent of global EV production and commands 85 per cent of the world’s battery supply chain.

South China Morning Post