The Climate Question

How committed is China to climate change?

At the UN climate summit in Glasgow last year, China and the United States announced they will work together on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Experts say this is a significant move because China and the United States are the two largest economies and polluters. China emits the most greenhouse gasses, around 27% of global emissions, but it is walking a narrow path between its energy crisis and its commitment to climate work.There are reports of plans to build up to 80 new coal power plants.Without China acting, attempts to keep global temperatures down will not work. How committed is China to climate change? Presenters Kate Lamble and Jordan Dunbar are joined by:Changhua Wu, executive director of the Professional Association for China’s Environment
Todd Stern, former climate envoy, United States
Bernice Lee, research director, Chatham HouseProducer: Darin Graham
Reporter: Sophia Yan
Researchers: Tatyana Movshevich and Matilda Welin
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Emma Rippon
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell

A global programme that reflects the variety of takes on climate change, how best to understand it and the world’s attempts to avert it, temper it or adapt to it.
It is not about questioning whether climate change is happening, it’s about finding the best ways to respond to it.
This is sharp-edged, analytical inquiry. Hard scrutiny, touched with a sense of adventure and discovery, and where we can find it, hope.
It includes stories from across the world on why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.