Carbon Brief

China is currently the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, as well as the largest manufacturer of low-carbon technologies.

The country’s climate and energy policies can greatly affect the pace of progress – both domestically and internationally – towards the Paris Agreement’s global goal of avoiding dangerous climate change.

However, the policies issued by various Chinese authorities – which function under a complex political system made up of a labyrinth of committees, conferences and other bodies – are often described using a wide variety of opaque jargon and acronyms.

Newly created terms often need clarification and interpretation to form a full understanding of what they mean in practical terms.

Below, Carbon Brief provides a detailed guide to the jargon – from the frequently used to the obscure – appearing in China’s climate-related lexicon.

Explanations of the Chinese political system – and the functions of departments within the system – are also included within the glossary.

All the explanations below are based on official definitions, or expert interpretations of official websites and documents.

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• Climate policy +
• Energy policy +
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• Political institutions +
• Government institutions +

For detailed details of each initiative please click the link below & scroll to the end, very detailed reference.