Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast The China Pivot: What will Beijing’s climate leadership look like?
Jan 29, 2026
Yixian Sun, a scholar of China’s political economy and climate governance at the University of Bath, explains Beijing’s vision of leadership and its approach to the Global South. Short takes cover China’s dominance in clean‑energy manufacturing, shifting geopolitics as leaders pivot to Beijing, carbon accounting and exported emissions, and ideas for UK‑China collaboration on R&D and energy packages.
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China's Manufacturing Power Is Decarbonisation's Engine
- China's dominance in clean energy manufacturing drives global decarbonisation by cutting costs and scaling supply.
- That dominance creates geopolitical nervousness because critical supply sits largely inside one country.
Imported Goods Can Mask Northern Emissions
- Emissions accounting hides exported emissions when production shifts to China, making Northern emissions look lower.
- This mismatch pressures China politically because emissions are counted where produced, not where consumed.
Use CBAMs To Stop Emissions Outsourcing
- Use carbon border adjustment mechanisms to align incentives and prevent emissions outsourcing.
- Deduct exporting countries' carbon prices or charge importers to level the playing field.