Institutional Deficiencies of the Paris Agreement and China's Compliance Capacity: An Evaluation after US Withdrawal

Abstract:The successful negotiation of the Paris Agreement, and its subsequent signing and adoption in 2016, marked a new landmark in global climate governance. However, the viability of the agreement was questioned particularly after the United States announced its withdrawal in 2017, pointing to certain institutional deficiencies in the overall agreement. The signing of the agreement would not have been possible without the initial joint commitment of both China and the United States, the world's two largest greenhouse gas emitters. Despite China's official claims of steadfast compliance with the agreement, the country's capacity to fulfil its commitment remains unclear. This study aims to first determine the constitutional deficiencies of the agreement that spurred America's withdrawal and the impacts. Second, it evaluates China's compliance capacity in the post-Paris Agreement era without America's involvement. The outcomes of this study provide some useful insights into preventing other countries from following the US example and better understanding China's position and capacity in keeping climate governance on the right track.