China’s Energy and Climate Initiatives: Successes, Challenges, and Implications for U.S. Policies

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the ChinaFAQs project of the World Resources Institute (WRI) invite you to a briefing on China’s increasing role in advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate policies.

China is a leader in the deployment of clean energy technologies, and the world’s largest manufacturer of wind turbines and solar panels. The United States and China cooperate on a number of clean energy initiatives, producing benefits for both countries. However, China has emerged as a major competitor with the United States and other countries in clean energy technology on a global scale. Moreover, some commentators in each country see the other country as a roadblock to an international climate agreement, and China and the United States emit the most greenhouse gases in the world.

Speakers will highlight key aspects of China’s approach to clean energy and climate policy, how it fits into the global landscape, and the challenges and opportunities for U.S. efforts to develop clean energy and tackle climate change. Speakers for this event include:

• Mark Levine, Senior Staff Scientist and Group Leader (Founder), China Energy Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
• Joanna Lewis, Assistant Professor of Science, Technology, and International Affairs, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service (invited)
• Deborah Seligsohn, Principal Advisor to the China, Energy and Climate Program, World Resources Institute Beijing office
• Sun Guoshun, First Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
• Kathy Weiss, Vice President, Government Relations, First Solar

On March 14, China’s National People’s Congress adopted its 12th Five Year Plan for economic development, which includes new goals for carbon intensity, renewable energy deployment, and energy efficiency. In 2010, China made international headlines for its use of measures such as partial shutdowns of manufacturing plants to meet its energy efficiency goals of the 11th Five Year Plan. While there were many challenges associated with its approach, there were also many positive developments, such as a 19 percent reduction in energy intensity.

This briefing is free and open to the public. No RSVP required.