China’s “new normal”: structural change, better growth, and peak emissions

China’s economy is undergoing a major structural transformation towards a new development model focused on achieving better quality growth that is more economically and environmentally sustainable, and achieves better social outcomes for the Chinese people. This paper traces the origins and explains the content of this new growth model, and considers its likely implications for the trajectory of China’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In so doing, this report can contribute to an important policy debate concerning the future direction of China’s economy and its role in responding to global climate change.