Chinese official statements reflect an increasing awareness of the need to adopt a sustainable development path, and in particular to reduce the country’s dependence on coal. Doing so, however, is a complex challenge involving political and social as well as technical issues, which is intensified by rapid urbanization and growth of incomes, and a consumer-oriented middle class. This article looks at the potential of sustainable energy sources in China, particularly wind and solar power, before considering the experience of two alternative pioneering sustainable development projects: Rizhao’s participative approach to switching to solar power, and Tianjin’s Eco-City, a low carbon development designed from scratch.
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