Weila Gong

In this enlightening discussion, Weila Gong, a visiting scholar at UC Davis and expert in low-carbon transitions, shares insights from her book on climate leadership in Chinese cities. She introduces ‘bridge leaders,’ vital bureaucrats who turn national policies into local action. The conversation highlights China's local experiments in decarbonization, showcasing innovative examples from Shenzhen and Nanchang. Weila also addresses the geopolitical complexities facing climate initiatives, emphasizing the importance of implementation capacity over mere pledges in assessing China’s climate role.