Low Carbon Zones: A Transformational Agenda for China and Europe

This paper suggests that Low Carbon Zones offer a potentially transformational process for reshaping the future of Chinese development. A range of Low Carbon Zones could demonstrate the feasibility and opportunity of low carbon development, reflecting the diversity of economic models across China. The EU has a strategic interest in helping China to decarbonise; without a low carbon China, Europe cannot deliver climate security for its citizens in the future. The question is how China and the EU could work together to catalyse and support the development and piloting of Low Carbon Zones. Cooperation would focus on four areas: institutions and governance; high tech foreign direct investment; carbon finance; and facilitating trade through harmonisation of standards.