The Story Behind the Boom: International and Domestic Sources of Influence on Chinese Renewable Energy Policy-Making

In 2008, China became the world's largest manufacturer of solar cells. The following year, it became the world's largest producer of wind turbines. Given the low priority the government has historically attached to environmental protection, why has China developed a world-class renewable energy industry? This thesis explores two possible sources of influence: the international community and domestic development objectives. Has international pressure successfully persuaded China to address its growing environmental crisis? Or has the government promoted renewable energy to solve domestic political and economic problems? This thesis argues that the convergence of these pressures has created a policy window in Chinese policy-making which facilitated the consideration and adoption of renewable energy policies.