Climate Change Policies of the Four Largest Global Emitters of Greenhouse Gases: Their Similarities, Differences and Way Forward

Abstract

Aims: The impetus to combat intensifying climate change has prompted countries to make policies pertinent to climate change. With China, India, the United States and the European Union contributing to more than half of greenhouse gases emitted, their climate change policies are of concern particularly as signatories of the Paris Agreement. Study Design: This article critically reviews the climate change policies of the four largest emitters of greenhouse gases, particularly their similarities and differences. Methodology: This review examined more than 85 literature including scholarly articles, official reports and policy documents published between 2010 and 2020, pertaining to climate change and energy policies, plans and programs of the four regions. Results: This review shows that the policies address similar domains comprising efficiency in energy and resources utilization, development of cleaner and renewable energy, optimization of transport system and promotion of electric mobility. Land use, land-use change and forestry is more commonly addressed in policies of developing countries than the developed ones. Major differences of the policies are the emphasis where the United States and European Union focus more on clean transportation particularly hydrogen fuel, besides carbon market. The extents of making policy targets legally binding also differ. There is a significant deficiency of adaptation policies compared to mitigation policies. Conclusion: This review, thus, contributes to identifying shortcomings of current climate change policies and continuous improvement of the policies.