In her book “China and Climate Leadership”, Kim Vender explores China’s leadership role in the United Nations climate change negotiations over two decades. Her analysis of international and domestic expectations for climate leadership and China’s role uncovers why there has been a persistent narrative of China’s big transformation from a “climate zero” in Copenhagen to a “climate hero” in Paris. The book thereby provides a more nuanced perspective on the often dichotomous categorisation of China in international relations.

Dr. Vender is a trained political scientist with an interest in climate change governance and Chinese politics and foreign relations. She is particularly interested in the nexus of climate change and global development, geopolitics, and foreign policy analysis. She currently investigates the topic of Loss and Damage with a focus on public opinion on solidarity and climate finance at the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) in Potsdam, Germany. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations from the University of Edinburgh, an M.A. in East Asian Politics from Ruhr University Bochum, and a B.A. in China Studies from Free University of Berlin. She is furthermore an Affiliated Researcher at the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) linked to the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Ruhr University Bochum.

This episode is hosted by AREA Ruhr member Prof. Dr. Jörn-Carsten Gottwald (Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of East Asian Studies). The talk took place on 24 June 2026.