The Energy Dragon: a Comparison between China's Efforts to Green its Domestic Power Sector and Chinese OFDI in Energy

The present research analyzes, compares and discusses China’s efforts to green its domestic power sector and Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in energy between 2013 and 2018. Chinese policies, regulations and guidelines concerning both are considered. Both quantitative data and qualitative data is included in the discussion. Green economics and green development are the lens through which the findings have been observed and interpreted. The ultimate result of the research is that, even though the power mix of Chinese OFDI in energy in 2018 had a higher percentage of renewable energy than China’s domestic power mix (37% versus 12%), the policies regulating China’s power sector are tailored to make it green, namely by reducing the consumption and production of fossil energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing the share of renewable energy in China’s total energy mix. On the other hand, guidelines concerning the environmental dimension of Chinese OFDI do...Show moreThe present research analyzes, compares and discusses China’s efforts to green its domestic power sector and Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in energy between 2013 and 2018. Chinese policies, regulations and guidelines concerning both are considered. Both quantitative data and qualitative data is included in the discussion. Green economics and green development are the lens through which the findings have been observed and interpreted. The ultimate result of the research is that, even though the power mix of Chinese OFDI in energy in 2018 had a higher percentage of renewable energy than China’s domestic power mix (37% versus 12%), the policies regulating China’s power sector are tailored to make it green, namely by reducing the consumption and production of fossil energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and increasing the share of renewable energy in China’s total energy mix. On the other hand, guidelines concerning the environmental dimension of Chinese OFDI do not make any concrete and enforceable efforts to green investments. Only the policies aimed at encouraging OFDI in renewable energy seem to have the effect of greening Chinese OFDI in energy.Show less

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The Energy Dragon: a Comparison between China's Efforts to Green its Domestic Power Sector and Chinese OFDI in Energy