China’s Annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 16th-18th. The conference set out key tasks for the next year. Preparing the work for the planned carbon peak but also carbon neutrality are among these tasks. The conference pointed out that China is striving to reach a carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. The urgent development of an action plan to reach these two goals has been underlined. Furthermore, it was stressed, that the adjustment and optimization of industrial structure, energy structure, promotion of the early peak of coal consumption, the vigorous development of new energy, construction of the national energy rights, carbon emissions trading market, and improvement of the dual control of energy consumption should be accelerated.
China issues National Climate Plan for 2026–2030
On 27 July 2026, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and 18 other national authorities jointly issued the “National Climate Change Plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan Period”. The plan covers the period 2026–2030 and addresses mitigation, adaptation, carbon markets, product carbon footprints and climate governance.
The plan builds on the objectives of the general 15th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for National Economic and Social Development, adopted in March 2026, and of the State Council’s “Action Plan for Carbon Peaking during the 15th Five-Year Plan Period”, issued earlier this month. While the “Action Plan for Carbon Peaking” focuses mainly on energy and sectoral carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions, the new national climate plan also addresses non-CO2 gases, climate risk and the data systems needed to implement climate policy.
