A comparative analysis of climate change policy frameworks in China and the US

Climate change is a systemic global crisis characterized by long term shifts in average weather patterns, driven primarily by human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, land-use change, deforestation, and broader ecological degradation. The phenomenon affects both developed and developing states, shaping policy responses across different political and economic systems. Using a neoclassical realist (NCR) framework, this study investigates the development of climate change policy in the United States and China. The analysis focuses on how domestic institutional structures and state priorities influence each country’s approach to emissions reduction, emissions limits, and renewable energy development. Through a comparative analysis, the study identifies key similarities and differences in their policymaking processes and strategic orientation. The research draws on a wide range of secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, government reports, monographs, and policy analysis which are examined using qualitative methods. The findings provide substantial insights into the strategic relations between the United States and China in the context of climate governance, assessing the prospects of coordinated (or diplomatic) emissions reductions and the observance of expanded investments in renewable energy. The study concludes by highlighting the central role of these two powers in shaping the process of global climate regulation and cooperation.