Knowledge Session: China’s industrial decarbonization - implications for the Netherlands and Europe
China wants to decarbonize its economy, without deindustrializing. Accounting for nearly two-thirds of global industrial CO₂ emissions, its trajectory will have decisive global consequences for climate goals and international competitiveness.
During this session, Tom Hancock, expert on Chinese political economy and co-founder of CP Global Insight, will present findings from a research project examining China’s emerging state-led policy and financing system for industrial decarbonization. The project explores:
- China’s policy and financial architecture driving industrial emissions reduction, and its likely impacts on European and Dutch companies;
- Sectoral pathways in steel, cement, and petrochemicals as outlined in authoritative Chinese planning documents; including the role of technologies such as green hydrogen and carbon capture.
With China deploying industrial policies similar to those that shaped its dominance in solar, batteries, and EVs, understanding these developments is essential for assessing future competitive pressures and regulatory influences on Europe.
Programme
- 8:45–9:00 AM | Doors open
- 9:00–9:05 AM | Introduction
- 9:05–9:30 AM | Presentation by Tom Hancock
- 9:30–10:00 AM | Q&A moderated by Floris Harm, CKN/LeidenAsiaCentre
- 10:00 AM | Event ends
Tom Hancock is a specialist in Chinese political economy and industrial policy, with 15 years of experience as a journalist for Bloomberg and the Financial Times. He is co-founder of consultancy CP Global Insight, which produces in-depth analyses for European industry, including recent reports for the Federation of German Industries (BDI) on China’s industrial decarbonization, trade strategy, and industrial AI. Hancock is affiliated with the Leiden Asia Centre and also serves as an associate at China Policy and analyst at Gavekal Technologies.
