Commentary: China’s move on climate action signals arrival as a ‘hybrid superpower’

China is arguably the modern era’s first “hybrid” superpower: A global leader that does not yet have a fully advanced economy. And Xi’s two-phase climate pledge reflects how the Chinese themselves see their hybrid status.

As the world’s largest clean-energy market, the country accounts for more than one-third of the world’s installed wind and solar capacity, and nearly half of all electric vehicles. But China’s leadership – especially provincial governors – may struggle to balance this long-term strategic interest against the short-term economic gains from carbon-intensive investments.The international community – and the EU in particular – could help China to move forward by engaging it in a coalition of the willing for climate action.

Encouragingly, Joe Biden’s victory in the recent US presidential election may herald a reversal of the ongoing deglobalisation trend, which might not only stabilise a rules-based international order, but also boost investment in sustainable infrastructure in many parts of the world.A CALCULATED MOVE, AN ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

President-elect Joe Biden's climate envoy nominee former Secretary of State John Kerry speaks at The Queen theater, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, in Wilmington, Del.

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