California-China Climate Institute

 

About Us

The California-China Climate Institute was launched in September 2019 and is a university-wide initiative of the University of California, housed jointly at UC Berkeley’s School of Law through its Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, and the College of Natural Resources. It is Chaired by Jerry Brown, former Governor of the State of California. The Institute also works closely with other University of California campuses, departments and leaders. Through joint research, training and dialogue in and between California and China, this Institute aims to inform policymakers, foster cooperation and partnership and drive climate solutions at all levels.

 

Recent Research

Financing Battery Storage in China: Insights From California’s Practices

 

China’s rapid expansion of battery storage faces a pressing challenge: ensuring sustainable and market-based revenue models. This report draws on California’s experience to identify policy and market design strategies that can inform China’s path toward financially viable battery storage development. Read the Chinese version here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay Areas: Regional Governance and Flood Mitigation for Climate Change Adaptation in California and Southeastern China

 

This report compares climate-related flood risks and adaptation strategies in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Greater Bay Area in Guangdong, China. It highlights how regional governance, cross-border collaboration, and climate-conscious infrastructure can strengthen resilience and provide lessons for climate adaptation planning. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China’s Energy Transition Brief: How Power Market Reforms are Meeting Climate Goals

This brief provides an overview of these provincial reforms and analyzes their possible contribution to China’s climate goals. It also briefly highlights the challenges ahead and explores opportunities to further unleash the potential of power market reforms.

 

 

 

 

 

Aligning markets and mandates: Insights from U.S. renewable energy credits for China’s green certificates

This brief examines China’s evolving green certificate program and its integration with provincial renewable energy targets. Drawing on U.S. REC tracking systems, it highlights lessons for building a transparent, standardized, and credible certificate-based framework to advance China’s clean energy transition. Read the Chinese version here.

 

 

 

Subnational Methane Monitor

The Subnational Methane Monitor tracks subnational methane policies, projects, and emissions. The platform empowers jurisdictions to identify gaps, benchmark progress, and share best practices.