Global Warming and China"s Environmental Diplomacy

  2008 1st Quarter source：Nova Science Publishers

Global Warming and China"s Environmental Diplomacy Author: Yu Hongyuan Publisher: Date of publication:   Abstract: As the world"s largest economic powerhouse and polluter, China is central to regional and global efforts for global warming particularly in the Post-Kyoto climate negotiations. China’s current development route are still growth-oriented, unsustainable and resource constraint economic model, and it face the crucial need to promote development while joining the global struggles against global warming while it has contributed to global economic growth.? Thus, as China contributes to global economic growth, the country has simultaneously taken on the inevitable role of being, potentially, the largest polluter in the world. China is also important in the climate change debate because it is a leading member of the developing world, giving it political and diplomatic powers that enable it to influence international environmental negotiations. If China continues in unfettered pursuit of its energy –intensify and growth-oriented development, its moral reputation will become severely damaged. It is also likely to lose the status so called “responsible stake holder in international system”. The alternative of pursuing “Scientific Outlook on Development” and responsible environmental diplomacy based on international collective norms might, however, provide China with a basis for securing future collaboration with the world in combating environmental disasters and for acquiring a reputation as a responsible state in the global community. Rationality should guide Beijing to be respectful of international norms in this regard. Global Warming and China"s Environmental Diplomacy Author: Yu Hongyuan Publisher: Date of publication:   Abstract: As the world"s largest economic powerhouse and polluter, China is central to regional and global efforts for global warming particularly in the Post-Kyoto climate negotiations. China’s current development route are still growth-oriented, unsustainable and resource constraint economic model, and it face the crucial need to promote development while joining the global struggles against global warming while it has contributed to global economic growth.? Thus, as China contributes to global economic growth, the country has simultaneously taken on the inevitable role of being, potentially, the largest polluter in the world. China is also important in the climate change debate because it is a leading member of the developing world, giving it political and diplomatic powers that enable it to influence international environmental negotiations. If China continues in unfettered pursuit of its energy –intensify and growth-oriented development, its moral reputation will become severely damaged. It is also likely to lose the status so called “responsible stake holder in international system”. The alternative of pursuing “Scientific Outlook on Development” and responsible environmental diplomacy based on international collective norms might, however, provide China with a basis for securing future collaboration with the world in combating environmental disasters and for acquiring a reputation as a responsible state in the global community. Rationality should guide Beijing to be respectful of international norms in this regard.