Framing Renewables in Chinese Public Discourse: Analysis of Five Case Studies of Energy Community

In recent years, China has been strongly promoting the development and implementation of renewable energy sources as part of its “double carbon” (双碳) policy, as evidenced by the document entitled关于大力实施可再生能源替代行动的指导意见 [“Guiding Opinions on Vigorously Implementing Renewable Energy Substitution Actions”] issued by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2024 (NDRC, 2024). This paper stems from the [data have been removed to ensure anonymous submission] research project and focuses on how renewable energies are discussed and promoted in Chinese newspapers (including The People’s Daily and The Paper) and social media, drawing on five case studies that include both urban and rural settings, community-level initiatives, and private enterprises. Relying on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of a corpus currently consisting of 43 texts, the study explores how the discourse on renewable energies is framed (Entman, 1993; Goffman, 1974) in China, with particular emphasis on the metaphors that structure it. Framing in terms of “Development and Innovation” and “Community and Participation” emerges as predominant, positively highlighting the practical advantages for citizens and leveraging their sense of community to encourage participation to a key national policy. By offering insights into the strategies used in Chinese public discourse to promote sustainable behaviour and citizen participation, and by investigating how discursive patterns can shape public perception and legitimise policies in a distinct cultural and political environment, this study contributes to the broader academic discussion on sustainability and discourse.