Establishment of Carbon Footprint Management System

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has released its 2026 annual climate report, presenting implementation results alongside a review of climate policies since 2025. The report records a 5% decline in CO₂ emissions per unit of GDP in 2025 and expanded emissions trading coverage encompassing 3,680 companies. Renewables supplied the equivalent of 38% of electricity consumption, with their additional output covering the year’s entire increase in demand. The report also provides updates on industrial retrofits, voluntary carbon trading and climate adaptation, including water infrastructure and heat warnings. The findings bring together annual results, cumulative implementation figures and developments through mid-2026, offering an overview of progress under China’s climate commitments and the policy framework for the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

On 29 September 2026, the Ministry of Transport, together with 11 other government departments and the China State Railway Group, issued the “Action Plan for Promoting High-Quality Development of Multimodal Transport and Optimizing the Transport Structure” (2026–2030). By 2030, the plan aims to improve links between railways, ports, inland terminals, logistics parks and industrial zones, strengthening multimodal freight services. Targets include an 80% railway connection rate in multimodal transport areas at coastal ports and more than 90% of freight transfers at key hubs completed within one hour. It also promotes shifts of suitable bulk freight from road to rail and water. For key industries, the plan targets an 85% share of clean transport.

The plan, released on 24 July 2026, focuses on a whole-chain, integrated and resilient freight and logistics system, alongside digitalisation, greener transport and rural connectivity. It envisages shifting freight from road to rail and water, scaling up new energy heavy-duty trucks and using digital tools for logistics operations and safety oversight. Specifically, it targets completion of 90% of freight transfers between transport modes within one hour at key integrated freight hubs and delivery and logistics stations in 90% of administrative villages. The share of new energy heavy-duty trucks is to rise from 4% in 2025 to 20% by 2030.