"Han Lin’s book on China’s efforts to deal with carbon emissions is remarkable for her insider’s view of China’s cultural and historical context. Exhaustively researched through interviews with significant actors, online forums and policy documents, the book shows why China changed its stance on climate change and provides recommendations on how China can optimize its energy policies to achieve better outcomes in climate change mitigation. Among the book’s many contributions are Dr. Lin’s attention to the role of Confucian tradition in shaping the importance of hierarchy, her attention to the role of the expert, and the importance of government-linked think tanks in the policy process. Bureaucratic rivalries and China’s recent reallocations of responsibility are well explained, as is China’s choice of emissions trading over carbon tax. The book is indispensable for anyone seeking a deep understanding of China’s climate change policies."— Judith Shapiro, American University, author of China’s Environmental Challenges