Yixian Sun
@yixiansun.bsky.social
Associate Professor @uniofbath.bsky.social, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, researching environmental governance & sustainable development, PI of @sgain.bsky.social, author of Certifying China, https://yixiansun.com/
Reposted by Yixian Sun
🔔 New #OpenAccess Analysis in #JCCA Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
@giga-hamburg.de @sagepub.com
Harlan et al. call for new approaches to engaging China’s aspiration to become a global environmental leader, while asserting clear expectations and responsibilities.
doi.org/10.1177/1868...
@giga-hamburg.de @sagepub.com
Harlan et al. call for new approaches to engaging China’s aspiration to become a global environmental leader, while asserting clear expectations and responsibilities.
doi.org/10.1177/1868...
December 18, 2025 at 7:37 PM
🔔 New #OpenAccess Analysis in #JCCA Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
@giga-hamburg.de @sagepub.com
Harlan et al. call for new approaches to engaging China’s aspiration to become a global environmental leader, while asserting clear expectations and responsibilities.
doi.org/10.1177/1868...
@giga-hamburg.de @sagepub.com
Harlan et al. call for new approaches to engaging China’s aspiration to become a global environmental leader, while asserting clear expectations and responsibilities.
doi.org/10.1177/1868...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
📽️ Our “China and Global Sustainability Transition” Conference Video Is Now Live! vimeo.com/1134543531
In June, we brought together leading experts for an international conference exploring pathways for constructive engagement with China to accelerate global sustainability transition.
In June, we brought together leading experts for an international conference exploring pathways for constructive engagement with China to accelerate global sustainability transition.
SGAIN's research on China and Global Sustainability Transition
The Sustainability Governance of China's Global Infrastructure Investments (SGAIN) is a £1.7 million UKRI-funded research project led by Dr Yixian…
vimeo.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:44 AM
📽️ Our “China and Global Sustainability Transition” Conference Video Is Now Live! vimeo.com/1134543531
In June, we brought together leading experts for an international conference exploring pathways for constructive engagement with China to accelerate global sustainability transition.
In June, we brought together leading experts for an international conference exploring pathways for constructive engagement with China to accelerate global sustainability transition.
Reposted by Yixian Sun
🔔 New Policy Report - From Solar Boom to Green Industrialization: Policy Pathways to Localizing Solar Value Chains in Pakistan
We are excited to share our first policy report, written in partnership with @sdpipakistan.bsky.social, available to read now: doi.org/10.15125/bat...
We are excited to share our first policy report, written in partnership with @sdpipakistan.bsky.social, available to read now: doi.org/10.15125/bat...
From Solar Boom to Green Industrialization: Policy Pathways to Localizing Solar Value Chains in Pakistan
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
🔔 New Policy Report - From Solar Boom to Green Industrialization: Policy Pathways to Localizing Solar Value Chains in Pakistan
We are excited to share our first policy report, written in partnership with @sdpipakistan.bsky.social, available to read now: doi.org/10.15125/bat...
We are excited to share our first policy report, written in partnership with @sdpipakistan.bsky.social, available to read now: doi.org/10.15125/bat...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
📊 Launch of the Earth System Governance Data Directory
A living and collaborative open-access resource to help researchers and practitioners find and share existing and upcoming datasets relevant to global environmental governance.
🔗 www.earthsystemgovernance.org/news/launch-...
A living and collaborative open-access resource to help researchers and practitioners find and share existing and upcoming datasets relevant to global environmental governance.
🔗 www.earthsystemgovernance.org/news/launch-...
October 8, 2025 at 8:14 AM
📊 Launch of the Earth System Governance Data Directory
A living and collaborative open-access resource to help researchers and practitioners find and share existing and upcoming datasets relevant to global environmental governance.
🔗 www.earthsystemgovernance.org/news/launch-...
A living and collaborative open-access resource to help researchers and practitioners find and share existing and upcoming datasets relevant to global environmental governance.
🔗 www.earthsystemgovernance.org/news/launch-...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
In late July, team member Yuen Gu conducted field research with the UGM team in Indonesia to study the impacts of large-scale renewable energy projects contracted to Chinese companies. The fieldwork focused on two flagship sites: Karawang 100MW Solar Park, and Cirata 145 MW Floating Solar Plant.
September 19, 2025 at 9:47 AM
In late July, team member Yuen Gu conducted field research with the UGM team in Indonesia to study the impacts of large-scale renewable energy projects contracted to Chinese companies. The fieldwork focused on two flagship sites: Karawang 100MW Solar Park, and Cirata 145 MW Floating Solar Plant.
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Read the article here: www.carbonbrief.org/qa-will-chin...
Featuring excellent insights from @katelogan.bsky.social @jamesnorman.bsky.social @yixiansun.bsky.social and others!
Featuring excellent insights from @katelogan.bsky.social @jamesnorman.bsky.social @yixiansun.bsky.social and others!
Q&A: Will China and the BRICS fill the ‘leadership gap’ on climate change? - Carbon Brief
Amid a rapidly fracturing geopolitical order, there have been growing calls for China to “step into [the] leadership gap” left by the US on climate change.
www.carbonbrief.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Read the article here: www.carbonbrief.org/qa-will-chin...
Featuring excellent insights from @katelogan.bsky.social @jamesnorman.bsky.social @yixiansun.bsky.social and others!
Featuring excellent insights from @katelogan.bsky.social @jamesnorman.bsky.social @yixiansun.bsky.social and others!
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Between 15-23 August @yixiansun.bsky.social had a productive visit in South Africa.
In Johannesburg, Yixian attended the Transformations Community/Earth System Governance Conference, where he presented our CGEL database, as well as a book chapter on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In Johannesburg, Yixian attended the Transformations Community/Earth System Governance Conference, where he presented our CGEL database, as well as a book chapter on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals.
September 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Between 15-23 August @yixiansun.bsky.social had a productive visit in South Africa.
In Johannesburg, Yixian attended the Transformations Community/Earth System Governance Conference, where he presented our CGEL database, as well as a book chapter on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals.
In Johannesburg, Yixian attended the Transformations Community/Earth System Governance Conference, where he presented our CGEL database, as well as a book chapter on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Honored to be part of this important book on climate politics! My chapter with Wei Shen @joannalewis.bsky.social shows how China has managed conflicts for policy stability.
Thanks for the leadership of Paul Tobin @matpaterson.bsky.social @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social! The whole book is open access.
Thanks for the leadership of Paul Tobin @matpaterson.bsky.social @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social! The whole book is open access.
Paul Tobin, @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social and I are delighted to announce our new, open access, edited book ‘Stability and politicization in climate governance’. bit.ly/45Gb6RM. It is packed full of fantastic chapters about different aspects of climate politics. Here’s a short thread. 1/
August 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Honored to be part of this important book on climate politics! My chapter with Wei Shen @joannalewis.bsky.social shows how China has managed conflicts for policy stability.
Thanks for the leadership of Paul Tobin @matpaterson.bsky.social @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social! The whole book is open access.
Thanks for the leadership of Paul Tobin @matpaterson.bsky.social @stacydvandeveer.bsky.social! The whole book is open access.
I had an interesting conversation with @jfmorin.bsky.social and @cyncouette.bsky.social about their research on the governance of orbital debris. Please watch this video to find out more!
📽️ New GEP Youtube video! Check out this stellar discussion between Associate Editor @yixiansun.bsky.social and GEP co-authors @jfmorin.bsky.social and @cyncouette.bsky.social on addressing the emerging #environmental problem of #spacedebris 🚀. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzR4...
Jean-Frédéric Morin and Cynthia Couette on the governance of orbital debris
YouTube video by Global Environmental Politics Journal
www.youtube.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:31 AM
I had an interesting conversation with @jfmorin.bsky.social and @cyncouette.bsky.social about their research on the governance of orbital debris. Please watch this video to find out more!
This is an exciting initiative of @esgproject.bsky.social to develop a useful resource for researchers and practitioners of environmental governance. If you have created or are creating an environmental governance-related dataset/database, please join us by sharing the info of your dataset/datsbase!
📣 Got an env governance dataset others should know about?
We’re building the ESG Data Directory—an open resource to make datasets more visible and usable, esp. for early-career researchers.
🔗 Submit: forms.gle/8tRFuV4Ubx7L...
🔗 Become an ESG Fellow: www.earthsystemgovernance.org/apply-to-bec...
We’re building the ESG Data Directory—an open resource to make datasets more visible and usable, esp. for early-career researchers.
🔗 Submit: forms.gle/8tRFuV4Ubx7L...
🔗 Become an ESG Fellow: www.earthsystemgovernance.org/apply-to-bec...
Input to Earth System Governance Data Directory
Researchers in the environmental governance field have developed a wide range of valuable datasets and databases—but these resources are often difficult to find or not widely known. The Earth System G...
forms.gle
July 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM
This is an exciting initiative of @esgproject.bsky.social to develop a useful resource for researchers and practitioners of environmental governance. If you have created or are creating an environmental governance-related dataset/database, please join us by sharing the info of your dataset/datsbase!
Reposted by Yixian Sun
We argue that China's transition will hit a wall unless it 1) makes a serious plan for a just transition domestically, 2) has a more effective long-term strategy for how to operate as an electro superpower
July 4, 2025 at 6:44 AM
We argue that China's transition will hit a wall unless it 1) makes a serious plan for a just transition domestically, 2) has a more effective long-term strategy for how to operate as an electro superpower
Reposted by Yixian Sun
China's astounding ability to build and deploy renewables, batteries, and EVs is perhaps the brightest spark in the global fight against climate change.
But @yixiansun.bsky.social and I ask what would it really take for China to lead www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/02/07/2...
But @yixiansun.bsky.social and I ask what would it really take for China to lead www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/02/07/2...
What Would It Take for China to Be a Global Environmental Leader?
Thomas Hale and Yixian Sun call for serious research and dialogue to make China to a global environmental leader. What would it take for China to be an international environmental leader? The question...
www.globalpolicyjournal.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:44 AM
China's astounding ability to build and deploy renewables, batteries, and EVs is perhaps the brightest spark in the global fight against climate change.
But @yixiansun.bsky.social and I ask what would it really take for China to lead www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/02/07/2...
But @yixiansun.bsky.social and I ask what would it really take for China to lead www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/02/07/2...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
The Bath Conference on China & Global Sustainability Transition is underway. Hosted by the University, the conference brings over 60 experts from more than 15 countries to explore how China can play a pivotal role in addressing the global sustainability transition.
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
June 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The Bath Conference on China & Global Sustainability Transition is underway. Hosted by the University, the conference brings over 60 experts from more than 15 countries to explore how China can play a pivotal role in addressing the global sustainability transition.
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
Reposted by Yixian Sun
World leading experts from across the globe discuss role of China in #sustainability #governance.
Led by @yixiansun.bsky.social, and co-organised by @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social, the aim is to identify pathways for engaging #China in a global sustainability transition.
Led by @yixiansun.bsky.social, and co-organised by @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social, the aim is to identify pathways for engaging #China in a global sustainability transition.
The Bath Conference on China & Global Sustainability Transition is underway. Hosted by the University, the conference brings over 60 experts from more than 15 countries to explore how China can play a pivotal role in addressing the global sustainability transition.
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
bit.ly/4kM0zdU
June 25, 2025 at 11:06 AM
World leading experts from across the globe discuss role of China in #sustainability #governance.
Led by @yixiansun.bsky.social, and co-organised by @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social, the aim is to identify pathways for engaging #China in a global sustainability transition.
Led by @yixiansun.bsky.social, and co-organised by @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social, the aim is to identify pathways for engaging #China in a global sustainability transition.
We look forward to welcoming participants in our Bath conference on China and Global Sustainability Transition starting on June 24th sgain.org/bath-confere.... The event will gather leading experts around the world to identify pathways to better engaging with China for accelerating green transition!
June 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
We look forward to welcoming participants in our Bath conference on China and Global Sustainability Transition starting on June 24th sgain.org/bath-confere.... The event will gather leading experts around the world to identify pathways to better engaging with China for accelerating green transition!
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Later this month, the Conference on China and Global Sustainability Transition will take place in Bath, in partnership with the @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social. We are pleased to now share our official brochure, including a full programme of events.
Bath Conference Brochure.pdf
drive.google.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Later this month, the Conference on China and Global Sustainability Transition will take place in Bath, in partnership with the @bath-iscc.bsky.social and @dialogueearth.bsky.social. We are pleased to now share our official brochure, including a full programme of events.
It was a lovely workshop @gvagrad.bsky.social. Thank you James for organizing it!
Thanks to participants for such inspiring discussions! @cbrandi.bsky.social Cédric Dupont, Manfred Elsig @idkirt.bsky.social @ryan-griffiths.bsky.social @noemielaurens.bsky.social Tobias Lenz @intnlwaters.bsky.social Charlie Rogers, Marine Roux @yixiansun.bsky.social Jael Tan, and Didier Wernli
June 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
It was a lovely workshop @gvagrad.bsky.social. Thank you James for organizing it!
Reposted by Yixian Sun
On 21-27 April @yixiansun.bsky.social visited China to share our work at multiple events and engage with various partners. Yixian gave talks on his book project on China’s green soft power and introduced our China’s Global Environmental Leadership Database at multiple universities.
May 23, 2025 at 10:17 AM
On 21-27 April @yixiansun.bsky.social visited China to share our work at multiple events and engage with various partners. Yixian gave talks on his book project on China’s green soft power and introduced our China’s Global Environmental Leadership Database at multiple universities.
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Ahead of an international conference led by the University of Bath, academic Dr Yixian Sun calls on China to seize its unique opportunity to lead on global climate action.
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
May 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Ahead of an international conference led by the University of Bath, academic Dr Yixian Sun calls on China to seize its unique opportunity to lead on global climate action.
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
We're excited to share this new article by @yixiansun.bsky.social ahead of our China and Global Sustainability Transition conference later this year.
His insights set the stage for an event that will unite global experts to overcome barriers for understanding China and sustainable development.
His insights set the stage for an event that will unite global experts to overcome barriers for understanding China and sustainable development.
Ahead of an international conference led by the University of Bath, academic Dr Yixian Sun calls on China to seize its unique opportunity to lead on global climate action.
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
#China #ClimateCrisis #ClimateSky
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
May 1, 2025 at 10:17 AM
We're excited to share this new article by @yixiansun.bsky.social ahead of our China and Global Sustainability Transition conference later this year.
His insights set the stage for an event that will unite global experts to overcome barriers for understanding China and sustainable development.
His insights set the stage for an event that will unite global experts to overcome barriers for understanding China and sustainable development.
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently reiterated China's commitment to climate action. Under Trump 2.0, China may be poised to fill a leadership gap in global climate governance. Here are my thoughts on what China needs to do if it wants to become a climate leader theconversation.com/the-world-ne...
The world needs climate change leadership – it’s time for China to step up
How Beijing can protect global climate governance from Trump’s ‘America first’ strategy.
theconversation.com
May 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Chinese President Xi Jinping recently reiterated China's commitment to climate action. Under Trump 2.0, China may be poised to fill a leadership gap in global climate governance. Here are my thoughts on what China needs to do if it wants to become a climate leader theconversation.com/the-world-ne...
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Dr Yixian Sun argues #China can lead global #climateaction as the US retreats and Europe faces security challenges. His upcoming conference at @uniofbath.bsky.social (June 24-25) will gather experts to discuss China's role in a global #sustainability transition.
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
China urged to lead on climate action ahead of China and Global Sustainability Transition conference
University of Bath academic calls on China to seize its unique opportunity to lead on global climate action.
www.bath.ac.uk
May 1, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Dr Yixian Sun argues #China can lead global #climateaction as the US retreats and Europe faces security challenges. His upcoming conference at @uniofbath.bsky.social (June 24-25) will gather experts to discuss China's role in a global #sustainability transition.
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
www.bath.ac.uk/announcement...
New open access publication in @natureneon.bsky.social's njp Climate action on China's Climate policy mixes. We assessed 358 national climate-related policies adopted in 2016-2022 and found discrepancies between policy density and policy intensity!
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Unpacking China’s climate policy mixes shows a disconnect between policy density and intensity in the post-Paris era - npj Climate Action
npj Climate Action - Unpacking China’s climate policy mixes shows a disconnect between policy density and intensity in the post-Paris era
www.nature.com
April 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
New open access publication in @natureneon.bsky.social's njp Climate action on China's Climate policy mixes. We assessed 358 national climate-related policies adopted in 2016-2022 and found discrepancies between policy density and policy intensity!
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
www.nature.com/articles/s44...
It was nice to have a strong presence of our @sgain.bsky.social at this year's Annual Convention of @isanet.bsky.social and have fruitful exchanges with researchers from across the globe. Looking forward to sharing more of our work next year! @isaess.bsky.social
We are pleased to share that earlier this month, SGAIN was represented at the 66th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association (ISA) in Chicago by several team members.
March 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It was nice to have a strong presence of our @sgain.bsky.social at this year's Annual Convention of @isanet.bsky.social and have fruitful exchanges with researchers from across the globe. Looking forward to sharing more of our work next year! @isaess.bsky.social
Reposted by Yixian Sun
Principal Investigator @yixiansun.bsky.social participated in roundtable discussions to share insights on the construction and use of databases in global environmental governance and politics research, climate leadership in Chinese cities and also ways to enhance diversity and inclusion at ISA.
March 24, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Principal Investigator @yixiansun.bsky.social participated in roundtable discussions to share insights on the construction and use of databases in global environmental governance and politics research, climate leadership in Chinese cities and also ways to enhance diversity and inclusion at ISA.