How Effective Is the Chinese Government in Protecting the Environment?

Exam Number: Y8195221

UNIVERSITY OF YORK

How effective is the Chinese government in protecting

the environment?

BA Politics with International Relations

Dissertation

May 2014

Dissertation Word Count: 9958

Exam Number: Y8195221

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Exam Number: Y8195221

Abstract

It has been widely recognized that environmental protection is a global issue

and developing countries are making increasingly significant contributions to

global environmental problems (Zhao, 2005). In the face of unprecedented

economic and industrial growth levels, China is rapidly developing its system of

environmental governance, and has contributed significantly to environment

and climate change protections. This dissertation aims to assess the damages

of climate change, investigate the philosophical understandings of who should

be held responsible for the climate change, evaluate the transformations in

China’s environmental governance, and consider the realistic incentives behind

its actions. Despite the negative international responses to the Chinese

government’s environmental performance, China has actually contributed

substantially towards climate protection. This is because, on the one hand,

China itself has experienced severe climate change consequences, while, on

the other hand, it has been stimulated by the benefit of participation. Therefore

new relations between the environment and the state, plus an opening up

towards the outside are characterizing a new mode of environmental

governance that in turn is allowing China to develop in more sustainable

directions.

178 words

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Exam Number: Y8195221

“We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our

Children.”

Ancient Indian proverb

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Exam Number: Y8195221

Content

Abstract

2

Foreword

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Content

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Introduction

5

Chapter 1: The Impact of Climate Change

11

Chapter 2: Negative Responses to the Chinese...