Christian Binz

Associate, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Belfer Center

Christian Binz is an associate with the Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group. His research interests include sustainability transitions in the energy and water sectors and China's fast catch-up in cleantech industries. His current research project analyzes the potential for low-carbon leapfrogging in the Chinese energy sector. Prior to joining the Belfer Center, Christian was a postdoctoral fellow at the UC Berkeley Water Center and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). He conducted his Ph.D. studies at Eawag and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

Articles by Christian Binz

Energy Technology Innovation Policy in the Backdrop of the U.S.-China Emissions Agreement

Christian Binz, August 1, 2015

In November 2014, the U.S. and Chinese governments made an historic joint announcement committing their countries to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions. President Obama announced a new target to cut net greenhouse gas emissions 26–28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and President Xi Jinping announced targets to peak China's CO2 emissions around 2030, with the intention to peak earlier and to decrease the share of energy from fossil fuels. The U.S. and China account for over one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, and as the joint announcement demonstrates, cooperative action to address climate change now appears politically feasible. Furthermore, it is hoped that the joint U.S.-China announcement will lead to broader cooperative efforts that will inspire a more effective and ambitious climate agreement at the December 2015 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the parties in Paris.