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Systemic Rivalry of China and the West in Climate Policy

  • Guntram Wolff ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: September 21, 2023

Abstract

This article outlines how the systemic rivalry between the West and China is preventing effective collaboration in the fight against climate change. Three approaches are suggested that can help the West achieve tangible action in the sphere of climate policy. First, the West must build up pressure points such as CBAM or even tariffs to incentivise greater climate protection measures. Second, climate partnerships with more substantial financial resources will incentivise developing countries to accelerate decarbonisation and not just follow the Chinese model. Third, climate action in the US and EU must be well calibrated.


Corresponding author: Guntram Wolff, German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Berlin, Germany; and Willy Brandt School of Public Policy at the University of Erfurt, Erfurt, Germany, E-mail:

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Received: 2023-09-03
Accepted: 2023-09-07
Published Online: 2023-09-21

© 2023 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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