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Geall and Ely Narratives and Pathways 2017 - final with edits.pdf (769.73 kB)

Narratives and pathways towards an ecological civilisation in contemporary China

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:57 authored by Sam Geall, Adrian ElyAdrian Ely
Since the United States committed to withdraw from the UN Paris Agreement on climate change, international observers have increasingly asked if China can take the lead instead to raise global ambition in the context of a world leadership vacuum. Given the country's increasing economic and strategic focus on sustainable and low-carbon innovation, China might seem well placed to do so. However, much depends on the direction of governance and reform within China regarding the environment. To better understand how the government is seeking to make progress in these areas, this article explores key political narratives that have underpinned China's policies around sustainable development (kechixu fazhan) and innovation (chuangxin) within the context of broader narratives of reform. Drawing on theoretical insights from work that investigates the role of power in shaping narratives, knowledge and action around specific pathways to sustainability, this article explores the ways in which dominant policy narratives in China might drive particular forms of innovation for sustainability and potentially occlude or constrain others. In particular, we look at ecological civilization (shengtai wenming) as a slogan that has gradually evolved to become an official narrative and is likely to influence pathways to sustainability over the coming years.

Funding

Low Carbon Innovation in China - Prospects, Politics and Practice; G1217; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/K006002/1

STEPS 2nd five years funding (IDS leading) - REVISED COSTS; G0733; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; RES-588-28-0001

Constructing pathways to sustainability: learning across disciplines, sectors, regions and cultures; G1820; UNESCO-UNITED NATIONS EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC & CULTURAL ORG; ISSC2015-TKNB150224114426

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

China Quarterly

ISSN

0305-7410

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Volume

236

Page range

1175-1196

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-11-22

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-11-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-11-22

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