SGAIN project, University of Bath

China's Global Environmental Leadership Database

First comprehensive database of China-led cross-border environmental governance

291
Initiatives
56
Collaborating countries
7
Regions
2000–2024
Inclusion window
29
Variables

Where China Collaborates

Countries shaded by the number of initiatives in which they are the primary international collaborator.

1980
2024
Map of collaborating countriesFJICANUSAKAZPNGIDNKENRUSNORTLSZAFURYBRAPERCOLCRIFRAZWEISRKHMTHALAOMMRVNMPRKKORMNGINDPAKIRNSWEUKRAUTHUNDEUBGRTURCHEBELNLDESPNZLAUSLKAITADNKGBRPHLFINSVKJPNMAREGY
Collaborations
05101520253035

Temporal Evolution of Chinese-Led Initiatives Across Governance Levels and Scales

China has become increasingly active in leading cross-border environmental governance, with state agencies driving this expansion. The widening spatial footprint reflects not only the diversification of China's environmental partnerships but also its growing ambition to shape global environmental agendas.

Temporal evolution of Chinese-led initiatives — OverallCumulative number of initiatives1980198519901995200020052010201520200100200300Geographic scopeAfricaAsiaEuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth AmericaOceaniaGlobalGovernance levelBilateralMultilateralTransnational
Temporal evolution of Chinese-led initiatives — BilateralCumulative number of initiatives198019851990199520002005201020152020050100150200Geographic scopeAfricaAsiaEuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth AmericaOceaniaGlobal
Temporal evolution of Chinese-led initiatives — MultilateralCumulative number of initiatives19801985199019952000200520102015202005101520Geographic scopeAfricaAsiaEuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth AmericaOceaniaGlobal
Temporal evolution of Chinese-led initiatives — TransnationalCumulative number of initiatives1980198519901995200020052010201520200204060Geographic scopeAfricaAsiaEuropeLatin America and the CaribbeanNorth AmericaOceaniaGlobal

Governance Functions Across Multiple Levels

'Information sharing' and 'Capacity-building' emerged as key emphases. In contrast, the provision of funding remains consistently limited, setting China apart from traditional aid-based models of environmental cooperation.

Governance functions across multiple levels1- Information sharing and dialogues2- Capacity-building and training3- Direction action and demonstration4- Provision of funding5- Research and scientific knowledge production6- Rule-making and standard-setting initiativesBilateralMultilateralTransnationalGovernance scaleShare0%10%20%30%40%

Environmental Problems Targeted by These Initiatives Across Levels

China's efforts to lead global environmental governance primarily focus on climate change (30%), followed respectively by energy (16%), water (12%). Meanwhile, around 11% of the initiatives in our database address broad environmental issues without having a specific focus.

Overall environmental problems chartNumber of initiativesAgriculture & Food SecurityAtmosphereBiodiversityBroad ProblemChemicals & WastesCitiesClimate ChangeDisasters & Humanitarian ReliefEnergyForestsOcean & CoastsWater020406080
Bilateral environmental problems chartNumber of initiativesAgriculture & Food SecurityAtmosphereBiodiversityBroad ProblemChemicals & WastesCitiesClimate ChangeDisasters & Humanitarian ReliefEnergyForestsOcean & CoastsWater0102030405060
Multilateral environmental problems chartNumber of initiativesAgriculture & Food SecurityAtmosphereBiodiversityBroad ProblemChemicals & WastesCitiesClimate ChangeDisasters & Humanitarian ReliefEnergyForestsOcean & CoastsWater012345
Transnational environmental problems chartNumber of initiativesAgriculture & Food SecurityAtmosphereBiodiversityBroad ProblemChemicals & WastesCitiesClimate ChangeDisasters & Humanitarian ReliefEnergyForestsOcean & CoastsWater05101520