China is the world’s largest carbon emitter, but it has announced ambitious goals for achieving a low carbon economy. President Xi is also using this issue as a means to distinguish China from other countries. Key to realizing these goals is the ability to pay for them. Most governments, including China, are able to only cover a small percentage of the costs from public funds, so therefore must find ways to attract private sector financing to promote sustainability. This is one of the reasons that China has made the development of the green finance infrastructure as a top priority. Why is green finance so important for China? What are the implications for the United States? And how will green finance play out as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
This event is co-sponsored by the Johns Hopkins SAIS Foreign Policy Institute, the Paulson Institute, the China Studies Program, and the Energy, Resources, & Environment Program. The event will be moderated by Deborah Lehr, Vice Chairman of the Paulson Institute.
