Green growth as a pathway toward sustainable development: A systems thinking on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China

Abstract

Green growth gained traction as a global climate change strategy and pathway toward sustainable development. China's green growth has been on the rise since the turn of the century, yet it is little understood in the context of its provinces. Previous studies focus on ranking green growth across countries and regions, not on assessing individual provinces over time. This study employs systems thinking and constructs an index framework to assess the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of green growth as a pathway toward sustainable development in Qinghai on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The study finds that green growth has steadily increased between 2000 and 2021 despite a volatile growth rate. The 10th–13th Five-Year Plans showed similar trends. Short-term green growth performance fluctuated in its dimensions and pillars, while long-term performance increased steadily. Qinghai is well-positioned to achieve sustainable development and build a circular economy. The study further discusses sustainable policy implications.