'Chinese Dream' in Paris: Legal and Policy Commitments in the New Climate Change Regime

Abstract

The Paris climate change conference among the UNFCCC parties (COP 21) was a dramatic turning point of human struggles for an emission free world. On December 12, 2015, all of the 195 UNFCCC member States and the European Union adopted a historic accord by consensus (unanimously) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China was a main actor in Paris. As the world's top emitter of greenhouse gases (about 25 percent), she was taking a leading role in this landmark deal towards a "truly universal agreement on climate change." While setting up the new global climate change regime, China's role was dominant. Her legal and policy commitment over the Paris accord should be carefully re-examined.