Dr. Patrick Schröder

Home Institution: Chatham House

Visiting Period: March to April 2026

Research Project: Perceptions and Implications of China's New Energy Technologies in New Zealand: Balancing Climate Change Mitigation, Economic Dependency and Security Concerns

During my fellowship at Victoria University of Wellington’s Contemporary China Research Centre, I aim to explore the perceptions in New Zealand regarding the importation of China's new energy technologies, specifically solar photovoltaics (PV), electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries. The research will investigate how these perceptions intersect with broader concerns about the need for climate change mitigation and China's influence in the Pacific region, particularly in terms of economic dependency and security implications.

The objective is to assess New Zealand's perception of Chinese-manufactured new energy technologies, focusing on their economic benefits and potential risks. It will examine how these perceptions align with or differ from views on China's broader geopolitical role in the Pacific, particularly regarding security concerns. The research will try to identify the implications of these perceptions for New Zealand's climate, energy and economic policies and international relations, particularly with China, but also New Zealand’s traditional allies (US, Australia, UK, Canada).

The research methods will include desk review of available materials and already published articles relating to the topic, such as existing public perception surveys that gauge the general public's views on Chinese energy technologies and their perceived connection to broader geopolitical concerns. Furthermore, I plan to conduct semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in Wellington such as government officials, industry experts, other academics at Victoria University and policymakers in New Zealand’s energy sector. These interviews will provide insights into the government policy relating to the adoption of Chinese technology and any perceived risks associated with it. The research will also include an analysis of import and sales data to understand trends in the importation and sales of Chinese EVs, batteries, and solar PV in New Zealand.

This research will contribute to the understanding of New Zealand's balancing act between embracing technological advancements, mitigating climate change and national security debates in an increasingly complex international landscape. The findings could inform both academic discussions and policy decisions related to New Zealand's engagement with China.

Dr. Patrick Schröder is a leading expert in the global transition to an inclusive circular economy, with a particular emphasis on international policy coordination, closing the investment gap, and the role of global trade in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His research explores how the circular economy can drive sustainable development, particularly in the context of international environmental governance and economic transformation.

Before joining Chatham House, Dr. Schröder was a Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. From 2008 to 2015, he was based in Beijing, where he worked extensively on development cooperation programs for the European Union and climate change initiatives with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). His experience in China also includes in-depth research on the country’s renewable energy transition, civil society development and climate policy.

Dr. Schröder is currently serving as Coordinating Lead Author for UNEP’s Global Environmental Outlook 7 and is a member of the International Science Council expert group on plastic pollution. In addition to his academic and policy contributions, he regularly writes op-eds for international outlets such as Foreign Policy, where he provides insights on global environmental issues and China’s role in the global energy transition.

Patrick holds a BA Hons in Chinese from the University of Westminster and earned his MA in International Relations and PhD in Environmental Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. His multidisciplinary background and extensive field experience make him a prominent voice in the discourse on sustainable development and global environmental policy.