Do urban carbon reduction practices under China’s institutional arrangement go beyond “low-hanging fruits”? Empirical evidence from Guangzhou

Abstract

There has been increasing interest in whether low carbon cities developed under Chinese institutional arrangements can facilitate a transformative change. Unlike their western counterparts, Chinese low carbon cities are mainly developed through a top-down approach characterized by strong regulatory influences and centrally-led pilots. Inspired by insights from institutional theory, this paper assessed the progress that has been made in Chinese low carbon cities through understanding urban actors’ willingness and capacity to pursue more radical changes. Based on semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, it is found that due to the low recognition of the intrinsic value of carbon reduction, low carbon transition was largely represented as a practical discussion around national binding targets and local economic development. Following this, it is suggested that any attempt to speed up urban low carbon transition should consider strengthening incentive structures for cultural or paradigm change.

Keywords:

• low carbon cities
• transformative change
• China
• climate change
• institutional theory

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 These themes are 1) strengthen the responsibility for energy saving and emission reduction goal fulfilment; 2) optimise industrial structure; 3) adjust the structure of energy supply; 4) develop low carbon industry; 5) strengthen industrial energy efficiency and carbon reduction; 6) strengthen energy efficiency and carbon reduction in urban construction; 7) strengthen energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the transport sector; 8) promote energy efficiency and carbon reduction in rural areas and the agricultural sector; 9) promote energy efficiency and carbon reduction in public institutions; 10) promote circular economy; 11) improve inspection and incentive mechanisms; 12) promote energy efficiency and carbon reduction among citizens in everyday life.