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Shifting policy priorities in EU-China energy relations: Implications for Chinese energy investments in Europe

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  • Gippner, Olivia
  • Torney, Diarmuid

Abstract

Shifting energy policy priorities both in China and the EU (European Union) have transformed their bilateral relationship. In order to assess the impact of domestic policy priorities on bilateral energy cooperation and climate policy, this comparative study traces the evolution of EU and Chinese approaches to energy policy – and their relative emphasis on factors and frames such as availability, efficiency, affordability and environmental stewardship. Drawing on government documents and a data set of interviews with Chinese policy-makers, experts and academics in 2015–2016, the article argues that while the EU started with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and moved towards a focus on affordability and availability, China started with a strong emphasis on availability and has moved towards a greater emphasis on environmental stewardship. This shift in frames on the Chinese side and subsequent changes in subsidy structures and targets can partially explain the increase in investments in renewable energy technologies. The article concludes that the Chinese and EU perspectives have become more aligned over the past ten years, coinciding with an increasing trend towards renewable energy in Chinese energy investments in the EU, for example in Italy and the UK.

Suggested Citation

  • Gippner, Olivia & Torney, Diarmuid, 2017. "Shifting policy priorities in EU-China energy relations: Implications for Chinese energy investments in Europe," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 649-658.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:101:y:2017:i:c:p:649-658
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.09.043
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    3. Lin, Boqiang & Xu, Bin, 2018. "How to promote the growth of new energy industry at different stages?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 390-403.
    4. Zhang, Yue-Jun & Liu, Zhao & Zhou, Si-Ming & Qin, Chang-Xiong & Zhang, Huan, 2018. "The impact of China's Central Rise Policy on carbon emissions at the stage of operation in road sector," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 159-173.
    5. Gatto, Andrea & Drago, Carlo & Panarello, Demetrio & Aldieri, Luigi, 2023. "Energy transition in China: Assessing progress in sustainable development and resilience directions," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    6. Qingning Wang, 2022. "The China–EU relation and media representation of China: the case of British newspaper’s coverage of China in the post-Brexit referendum era," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 283-303, September.
    7. Lei Liu & Tong Wu & Ziqianhong Wan, 2019. "The EU-China relationship in a new era of global climate governance," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 243-254, June.
    8. Runhui Lin & Yuan Gui & Zaiyang Xie & Lu Liu, 2019. "Green Governance and International Business Strategies of Emerging Economies’ Multinational Enterprises: A Multiple-Case Study of Chinese Firms in Pollution-Intensive Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-32, February.
    9. Wang, Banban & Lin, Ping, 2022. "Whether China's overseas energy infrastructure projects dirtier or cleaner after the belt and road initiative?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Sirma Altun & Ceren Ergenc, 2023. "The EU and China in the global climate regime: a dialectical collaboration-competition relationship," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 437-457, September.
    11. Jos? Miguel Asensio & Alessandro Fiorini & Juan Pablo Jimenez Navarro, 2018. "Chinese foreign direct investments in the EU energy sector," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(2), pages 207-229.

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