Exploring Climate Change and Global Economic Inequality Through Carbon Emission Policy Practices

Research Article
Open access

Exploring Climate Change and Global Economic Inequality Through Carbon Emission Policy Practices

Jiachen Liu 1*
  • 1 University of Bristol    
  • *corresponding author liujiachen2525@gmail.com
AEMPS Vol.191
ISSN (Print): 2754-1177
ISSN (Online): 2754-1169
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-189-1
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-190-7

Abstract

Climate change represents a critical global challenge, exacerbating both ecological and economic inequalities. This article examines how global economic disparities influence carbon emission reduction policies, particularly in the United States and China. The study highlights the historical responsibility of developed countries in emissions and their greater capacity to mitigate climate impacts, contrasted with the development pressures faced by emerging economies. Through case studies of U.S. and Chinese policies, the article explores how current climate governance frameworks reflect these imbalances and the institutional challenges of implementing effective, equitable carbon policies. The findings suggest that while developed nations have greater resources to address climate change, developing nations face significant barriers in balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. However, the study has limitations, particularly in its geographical focus on just the U.S. and China, overlooking experiences from other countries, especially developing ones. Future research should expand the scope to include a wider range of nations, particularly low-income countries, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of global climate governance and the disparities within it.

Keywords:

Climate Change, Global Economic Inequality, Carbon Emission Reduction, U.S. and China, International Climate Politics

Liu,J. (2025). Exploring Climate Change and Global Economic Inequality Through Carbon Emission Policy Practices. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,191,17-22.
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References

[1]. Shivanna, K. R. (2022). Climate change and its impact on biodiversity and human welfare. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88(2), 160-171.

[2]. Hung, H. F. (2021). Recent trends in global economic inequality. Annual Review of Sociology, 47(1), 349-367.

[3]. Carbon Brief. (2024, April 15). COP29: Which countries have contributed most to climate finance – and who should in future? https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop29-which-countries-have-contributed-most-to-climate-finance-and-who-should-in-future/

[4]. Banu, N., & Fazal, S. (2025). Climate Change, Livelihood Crisis and Resilience: An Introduction. In Livelihoods and Well-Being in the Era of Climate Change: Risk to Resilience Across India (pp. 3-18). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

[5]. Huang, M. T., & Zhai, P. M. (2021). Achieving Paris Agreement temperature goals requires carbon neutrality by middle century with far-reaching transitions in the whole society. Advances in Climate Change Research, 12(2), 281-286.

[6]. Singh, S. (2022). Tracing the" Common but Differentiated Responsibilities"(CBDR) Principle under Climate Change Regime. Indian JL & Just., 13, 251.

[7]. Jung, H., & Song, C. K. (2023). Effects of emission trading scheme (ETS) on change rate of carbon emission. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 912.

[8]. Omoyajowo, K. A. (2024). Balancing Regulation and Innovation: The Future of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management in US Heavy-Duty Transportation. Available at SSRN 4950185.

[9]. Zhao, C., Ju, S., Xue, Y., Ren, T., Ji, Y., & Chen, X. (2022). China’s energy transitions for carbon neutrality: challenges and opportunities. Carbon Neutrality, 1(1), 7.

Cite this article

Liu,J. (2025). Exploring Climate Change and Global Economic Inequality Through Carbon Emission Policy Practices. Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences,191,17-22.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICEMGD 2025 Symposium: The 4th International Conference on Applied Economics and Policy Studies

ISBN：978-1-80590-189-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-190-7(Online)
Editor：Florian Marcel Nuţă , Xuezheng Qin
Conference website: https://www.icemgd.org/
Conference date: 20 September 2025
Series: Advances in Economics, Management and Political Sciences
Volume number: Vol.191
ISSN：2754-1169(Print) / 2754-1177(Online)

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References

[1]. Shivanna, K. R. (2022). Climate change and its impact on biodiversity and human welfare. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88(2), 160-171.

[2]. Hung, H. F. (2021). Recent trends in global economic inequality. Annual Review of Sociology, 47(1), 349-367.

[3]. Carbon Brief. (2024, April 15). COP29: Which countries have contributed most to climate finance – and who should in future? https://www.carbonbrief.org/cop29-which-countries-have-contributed-most-to-climate-finance-and-who-should-in-future/

[4]. Banu, N., & Fazal, S. (2025). Climate Change, Livelihood Crisis and Resilience: An Introduction. In Livelihoods and Well-Being in the Era of Climate Change: Risk to Resilience Across India (pp. 3-18). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.

[5]. Huang, M. T., & Zhai, P. M. (2021). Achieving Paris Agreement temperature goals requires carbon neutrality by middle century with far-reaching transitions in the whole society. Advances in Climate Change Research, 12(2), 281-286.

[6]. Singh, S. (2022). Tracing the" Common but Differentiated Responsibilities"(CBDR) Principle under Climate Change Regime. Indian JL & Just., 13, 251.

[7]. Jung, H., & Song, C. K. (2023). Effects of emission trading scheme (ETS) on change rate of carbon emission. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 912.

[8]. Omoyajowo, K. A. (2024). Balancing Regulation and Innovation: The Future of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Management in US Heavy-Duty Transportation. Available at SSRN 4950185.

[9]. Zhao, C., Ju, S., Xue, Y., Ren, T., Ji, Y., & Chen, X. (2022). China’s energy transitions for carbon neutrality: challenges and opportunities. Carbon Neutrality, 1(1), 7.

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