The sometimes competing needs of energy security, economic viability and environmental protection are an especial challenge for China’s top-down system. Beijing should complement its decision-making on climate with a bottom-up approach to avoid drastic policy swings.
While some in China are concerned by its dependence on imported materials for electric vehicle batteries, the West is anxious about Chinese control of resources. Fundamental differences exist between mineral and energy resources, however. Unlike oil and gas, minerals are recyclable.