“If the government cannot ensure that people have enough food, clothing and other basics, it is very hard to talk about other issues," he said. "I think the government is concerned first about improving peoples’ livelihoods.”

The government is making some progress. The United Nations says China this year was the world’s largest investor in renewable energy projects.

Longtime China analyst Orville Schell, who is with the Asia Society, applauds Beijing’s efforts, but worries they are still not enough.

“The problem is, for all the progress that they are making, they still are increasing aggregate amount of greenhouse gas emissions," Schell said. "And I think are increasing the aggregate amount of pollution within the country, because the rapidity of their economic development is so fast. So, they are winning, at the same time, they are losing.”

Schell adds China still can play a meaningful global leadership role on climate change, but it remains unclear if the government is willing to tackle the social and economic challenges from replacing coal with cleaner alternatives.