In a regime without democratic processes, China’s governmental structure gives it both unique advantages and roadblocks regarding sustainability. Just like how the government was able to force rapid industrialization, there is potential for China to “take advantage of its ability to implement massive programs that can infiltrate every aspect of society rapidly” (“China’s Road to Sustainability”). China’s ability to mobilize plans without a lengthy democratic process, aided by its vast resources, gives it an unparalleled advantage over other massive powers to implement effective climate legislation. By redirecting resources and manpower from impractical projects to realistic efforts such as investments in renewable energy sources, China began to harness the benefits of an authoritarian structure. However, the power of authoritarianism can be a double-edged sword, lending itself to overly extreme policies. For example, legislation in 2008 “required that all drivers leave their cars at home at least one day a week; [and] that elevators not be used to reach the first three floors of public buildings” (“Authoritarian environmentalism and China’s response to climate change”). Such efforts to drastically reduce emissions were very effective in reducing energy usage, yet can often be overly harsh and create unintended consequences of lowering accessibility for many citizens. In a communist regime where public image is central to legitimacy, the government sought a balance between robust policies capable of creating drastic change while satisfying residents by not being overly disruptive to their daily lives. Eventually, China would become more successful, passing laws largely supported by its citizens, who also strongly supported the sustainable cause.
Despite beginning to leverage the power structure of authoritarianism, local government structures in China continue to present a huge obstacle to sustainability. Although the central government tightly controls China’s political agenda, economic policies are largely left up to local governments as different provinces have vastly different needs and conditions. Sadly, “Local governments have lowered environmental protection standards as a unique way to attract foreign enterprises through the ‘race to the bottom competition’...investing in environmental protection…may often be regarded as a political achievement of the next term rather than their own 5-10 year term” (“Economic Growth and Environmental Pollution in China: New Evidence from Government Work Reports”). Due to limitations on term length for local officials, it is often more politically favorable to focus on economic development, as it produces quicker results in improving the lives of citizens. Additionally, environmental policies can hinder growth, decreasing the government’s popularity among residents. The mindset of delaying environmental problems from China’s founding days still exists at many local levels, evidencing the continued prioritization of economic growth over sustainability.
Ultimately, the desire to be seen as equals with developed nations on the global stage prompted a true paradigm shift in China towards sustainable development and opened international cooperation on climate change. Due to its late industrialization and vast labor force, Chinese factories produced an overwhelming amount of goods for the world. It was overly focused on economic growth and willing to lower environmental regulations to attract foreign investors, eventually putting China in an oppressive position in the global economy. Thus, “Hoping to change the country’s image as the producer of cheap and low-end products for others, the government was pouring resources into R&D for green production. It was supporting a new generation of visionary entrepreneurs who would make China a leader in clean energy and green capitalism” (Yaghmaian 141). Adopting green capitalism represented China’s first attempt to truly integrate economic and sustainability goals, without prioritizing one over the other. The government heavily invested in renewables and green technology to boost the economy by opening up more industries and jobs, favoring the long-term profitability of an environmentally sustainable economy compared to its old economy, which was focused on short-term gains. It was willing to temporarily slow growth in the short term to fund the transition, eventually hoping to transition to a circular economy. Entrepreneurs sought to collaborate with the West to obtain more up-to-date technology and increasingly share climate goals. Eventually, “on June 30, 2015, China formally submitted its intended nationally determined contribution (INDC) to the new global climate agreement” (“China’s Contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement”). China’s participation in the Paris Climate Agreement marked a new era of its increased commitment to global climate efforts, particularly positioning itself as a leader in sustainability efforts by being one of the first countries to officially commit to the cause. These partnerships remain strong, especially “as China’s relations with Western democracies have recently deteriorated over human rights and security issues, climate change is becoming more important as a valuable theme on which it can maintain dialogue and cooperation with the West” (“Why is the Chinese Communist Party Taking Environmental Issues Seriously?”). Even as geopolitical tensions rise, China’s willingness to put aside ideological differences to cooperate internationally on the issue of sustainability shines a light on its strong dedication. In these cases, focusing on sustainability can benefit both countries and uplift the Chinese economy by engaging the West in some level of communication, leaving doors open for multilateral trade and exchange. For example, joint initiatives in renewable energy or shared research can drive progress in both economic and environmental realms, beginning to integrate two industries that were largely mutually exclusive.
After decades of progress, China began to see success in environmental sustainability thanks to sustained governmental commitment. At the central level in recent years, officials have sought to “weaken official assessment mechanism, which emphasizes economic growth, to avoid inconsistencies between economic growth targets and reduce environmental damage by setting targets that are adopted” (“Economic Growth and Environmental Pollution in China: New Evidence from Government Work Reports”). In stark contrast to the Green GDP project in China’s early days, where any recalculations accounting for sustainability that decreased economic growth were immediately scrapped, the government now actively adjusts economic goals to set GDP targets that allow the environment to be prioritized. Furthermore, “pollution fines were imposed on 26 companies, plants belonging to 527 companies were closed and a further 207 businesses were ordered to suspend operations” (“Environmental Protests Expose Weakness In China's Leadership”). The government is now willing to take action beyond rhetoric and enforce pollution benchmarks by actively inspecting and closing down businesses. Even though closing many businesses and factories could hinder economic growth, China is unafraid to do so in exchange for a more sustainable environment, signaling a shift in priorities. The transition in governmental attitude towards sustainable development has begun to produce tangible results, with the UN reporting that “China has scaled up its nationally determined contributions and aims to peak its carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060” (“UN Voluntary National Review 2021”). Carbon neutrality entails removing as much carbon from the atmosphere as is emitted, avoiding further emissions that worsen the greenhouse effect and contribute to climate change. With many countries unsure of their commitments to the global cause, China is firm in its standing to lower emissions within the next decade, fully utilizing its powerful governmental structure and vast resources.
Unlike early on, China’s progress in sustainability no longer comes at the expense of its economy, as it discovers options to sustain both simultaneously. While CO2 reduction could potentially hinder the economy, China offsets the damages by increasing investment in clean energy, with Goldman Sachs estimating that China’s renewables industry will create 40 million net new jobs after replacing traditional coal industries (“Why is the Chinese Communist Party Taking Environmental Issues Seriously”). Jobs in research and green technology offer higher pay with more future growth and safer working conditions than traditional factories, effectively boosting the economy by lowering unemployment and transforming the energy sector to be more efficient. Another successful example can be seen in China’s electric vehicle industry, where “foreign sales of these vehicles have risen from around 250,000 units in 2020 to 500,000 units in 2021, 1.0 million units in 2022, and 1.5 million units in 2023” (“Can Electric Cars Power China’s Growth?”). Originating in Europe, electric vehicles have been a huge way for China to invest in sustainable industries while also supercharging its economy, even surpassing the EU in the industry. As exports of EVs doubled, not only did China gain large sums of profit, but it also provided the rest of the world with products to lower global emissions and battle climate change. While having to sacrifice certain goals to ensure others is unavoidable, “both the government and companies are shedding the presumption that growth and the environment constitute a zero-sum game. It can be said that this progression in thought has put China closer to the way of thinking of developed countries” (“Why is the Chinese Communist Party Taking Environmental Issues Seriously”). Compared to just decades ago, China’s successful climate efforts have instilled confidence in domestic and international investors, demonstrating its ability to align itself with developed countries and achieve sustainable development.
Through seven decades of development, China has made significant progress in tackling the balance between economic growth and sustainable development, pioneering methods to simultaneously support both goals. Although there were many initial setbacks with overambitious policies, empty promises, and uncooperative local governments, it was ultimately able to find solutions such as green capitalism and increased investment into sustainable industries, putting it on the path to sustainability. Given that the regime continues prioritizing sustainability, China is on track to achieve important benchmarks such as carbon neutrality and net zero emissions in the coming decades, transforming from one of the highest emitting countries to a world leader in tackling climate change. For the first time in the history of China, its government finally embodies the long-withstanding homage: “绿水青山就是金山银山”, or clear waters and green mountains are mountains of gold and silver.