China’s Green Transition: Between Sustainability Ambitions and Strategic Competition in the Global Climate Agenda

The urgency of climate action has reached an unprecedented level, with global temperatures surpassing critical thresholds and extreme weather events intensifying. In this context, China plays a pivotal role in global sustainability efforts due to its dual status as the world's largest carbon emitter and a leading investor in renewable energy technologies. This thesis, structured in three chapters, focuses on the analysis of Chinese green transition with “Made in China 2025”, as a case study. This study critically examines the effectiveness, motivations, and challenges of China, assessing whether it is driven by genuine sustainability goals or strategic economic ambitions. The study also investigates the competitive interplay between China and other global actors, such as the European Union and the United States, within the context of the climate agenda. By analysing these dynamics, this research sheds light on the program's contributions to global sustainable development and its impact on international competition and collaboration in green technology industries. The first chapter provides an overview of green industrial policies adopted by major global economies, analysing the sustainability strategies of the European Union, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region. By presenting a comparative framework, this section lays the foundation for evaluating China’s unique approach to sustainable development. The second chapter focuses on the impact of the "Made in China 2025" strategy on China’s domestic energy transformation and sustainable development. It examines the effectiveness of policies in key sectors, including renewable energy, the electric vehicle industry, and the establishment of a carbon market, providing a comprehensive assessment of China's transition to a greener economy. The third chapter explores China's role in the global green governance system, with a particular emphasis on partnerships within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the EU. This chapter also assesses whether China constitutes a reliable partner for Italy in the context of sustainability and ecological transition. By evaluating policy coherence, investment transparency, and long-term environmental commitments, this research aims to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the feasibility and risks of Italy’s collaboration with China in the green sector.