Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies， the University of Melbourne
Thursday 22 March – 5:30-7:00pm
Steve Howard Theatre, Level 5, Doug McDonnell (Building 168), The University of Melbourne
Speaker: Dr Sam Geall, University of Sussex
President Trump, who once called climate change a Chinese hoax, has committed to withdrawing the United States from the UN Paris Agreement on climate change. Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping has doubled down on his support for the UN climate accord and the low-carbon energy transition of his country. With the United States in retreat and Europe divided, can China now take the lead?
Dr Sam Geall will argue it is unlikely China will assume such an international leadership position, at least in the short- to medium-term. However, longer-term technological and economic change suggests that China may eventually show greater ambition. In the meantime, the country faces major tests: at home in strengthening its domestic energy transition away from coal; and abroad in proving its green credentials through its overseas investments.