Since the United States committed to withdraw from the UN Paris Agreement on climate change, international observers have increasingly asked if China can take the lead instead, to raise global ambition in the context of a global leadership vacuum. Given the country’s increasing economic and strategic focus on sustainable and low-carbon innovation, China might seem well-placed. However, much of this depends on the direction of governance and reform within China, regarding the environment. To better understand how the government is seeking to make progress in these areas, this article explores key political narratives that have underpinned China’s policies around sustainable development (kechixu fazhan, ?????) and innovation (chuangxin, ??) within the context of broader narratives of reform. Drawing on theoretical insights from work that investigates the role of power in shaping narratives, knowledge and action around specific pathways to sustainability (Leach et al 2010a), this article explores the ways in which dominant policy narratives in China might drive particular forms of innovation for sustainability, and potentially occlude or constrain others. In particular, we look at ecological civilization (shengtai wenming, ????) as a slogan that has gradually evolved to become an official narrative, and is likely to influence pathways to sustainability over the coming years.