Developmental Environmentalism: State Ambition and Creative Destruction in East Asia's Green Energy Transition

East Asia has emerged as a global leader in green energy industries, but until recently, lagged in carbon emission reduction. This book provides the first comprehensive account of East Asia's green energy shift, highlighting the role of state ambition, geostrategic competition, and capitalist market dynamics in driving forward the region's greening efforts. The authors argue that state actors in East Asia have pursued a distinctively East Asian approach to transforming their energy systems, involving the rapid creation of new green energy industries and the coordinated destruction of fossil-fuel incumbencies. This approach, called developmental environmentalism, is aimed at establishing East Asian economies as leaders in the green industries of the future while addressing the environmental, social, and political problems associated with the carbon-intensive industries of the past. The book develops four detailed case studies of green industry creation and fossil-fuel phase out in China and Korea and assesses the implications of developmental environmentalism for developed and developing countries and the future of the global green shift in an era of geostrategic rivalry.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 02 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

East Asia has emerged as a global leader in green energy industries, despite previously lagging in carbon emission reduction. This transformation is driven by a combination of state ambition, geostrategic competition, and capitalist market dynamics. Developmental Environmentalism provides a comprehensive account of East Asia's green energy shift, highlighting the powerful role of state actors in driving forward the region's greening efforts.

Through an analysis of the ambitious national strategies of China and South Korea, the authors demonstrate how state actors have pursued a distinctively East Asian approach to transforming their energy systems. This approach involves the rapid creation of new green energy industries and the coordinated destruction of fossil-fuel incumbencies. The goal is to establish East Asian economies as leaders in the green industries of the future while addressing the environmental, social, and political problems associated with the carbon-intensive industries of the past.

The authors develop four detailed, longitudinal case studies of green industry creation and fossil-fuel phase out in China and Korea to identify the key successes and failures of East Asia's green shift to date and anticipate its most likely future trajectory. They reject the idea that East Asia's greening strategies are mere exercises in greenwashing or fossil-fueled business as usual. Instead, they argue that there is something fundamentally transformative underway in the region at the level of elite ideation, strategic ambition, and policy action.

East Asia's approach to the green energy transition is characterized by a focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. The region has a strong tradition of technological development and a willingness to invest in renewable energy technologies. Additionally, East Asia's governments have implemented policies and regulations to promote the growth of the green energy sector, such as subsidies, tax incentives, and environmental standards.

One of the distinctive features of East Asia's approach is its emphasis on developing local renewable energy sources. Many countries in the region have significant wind and solar resources, and they are working to expand their capacity to generate clean energy. This approach not only reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels but also creates job opportunities and drives economic growth in the local communities.

East Asia's green energy transition is also driven by a strong sense of environmental responsibility and a commitment to addressing climate change. The region has experienced severe environmental impacts from pollution and climate change, and its governments are aware of the need to take action to mitigate these impacts. This has led to the implementation of ambitious carbon emission reduction targets and the development of renewable energy policies that prioritize sustainability and environmental protection.

East Asia's approach to the green energy transition has significant implications for the world. By leading the way, the region can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Additionally, East Asia's experience in developing and implementing green energy policies can provide valuable lessons for other countries seeking to transition to a more sustainable energy future.

However, there are also challenges that East Asia must overcome to fully realize its green energy goals. One of the biggest challenges is the need to balance the growth of the green energy sector with the need to maintain economic growth and social stability. This requires careful planning and management of resources and infrastructure to ensure that the benefits of the green energy transition are distributed fairly and that the negative impacts are minimized.

Another challenge is the need to address the environmental and social impacts of the rapid expansion of the green energy sector. This includes ensuring that renewable energy projects are developed and implemented in a sustainable manner, that workers in the green energy sector are treated fairly and with respect, and that the communities affected by these projects are supported and protected.

East Asia's green energy transition is a complex and multifaceted process that requires a coordinated and sustained effort from all stakeholders. By leveraging its strengths and addressing its challenges, East Asia can play a critical role in shaping the future of global energy and climate policy.

In conclusion, East Asia's emergence as a global leader in green energy industries is driven by a combination of state ambition, geostrategic competition, and capitalist market dynamics. Developmental Environmentalism provides a comprehensive account of this transformation, highlighting the powerful role of state actors in driving forward the region's greening efforts. East Asia's approach to the green energy transition is characterized by a focus on innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, and it has significant implications for the world. However, there are also challenges that the region must overcome to fully realize its green energy goals. By leveraging its strengths and addressing its challenges, East Asia can play a critical role in shaping the future of global energy and climate policy.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 240 x 161 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192897794
Edition number: 1