EU-China Cooperation on ‘Green’ and ’Social’ Values

The EU has long been concerned about sustainable development in China, particularly when it comes to the green pillar (environment and climate) and the social pillar (core labour standards and social protection). 

Based on several research questions in both pillars, this paper examines indicators and policies as well as degrees of convergence over time. It concludes that the surprising, but still ongoing, process of convergence in the green pillar seems to go further than that of the social pillar.

The paper also includes a short reflection on the prospects of sustainable development cooperation with China.