At the end of October, just days before the beginning of the world climate conference in Glasgow and amidst the release of the Chinese LEDS until 2060 and updated NDC for 2030, several documents of the “1+N framework” were released. The “Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy”, the “1” in the “1+N” policy system, presents an overarching document that sets out principles and overall targets for all policy areas. The “Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking before 2030″ summarizes overarching targets for different sectors and is one of a series of “N”s (which are yet to be published). The white paper “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions” presents achievements to date. Finally, the “Implementation Plan for In-Depth Green and Low-Carbon Leading Actions for Public Institutions to Promote Carbon Peaking” underlines the role of the public sector in achieving carbon peaking. The following paragraphs summarize the most important information on the “1+N” policy updates released to this date.
The “Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy” was published on 24 October. It discusses China’s strategy for the low-carbon transformation of its future development and aims to align the implementation of the climate targets set for 2030 and 2060 with China’s socio-economic development. For example, it confirms the target of reducing CO2 emissions per unit of GDP to 65 % by 2030 compared to 2005. In addition, a new target is set to achieve a share of more than 80 % of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption by 2060.
The “Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking before 2030” was released on 26 October by China’s State Council. The document sets the concrete framework for implementing key strategic decisions on China’s 2030 climate targets and promoting climate-related international cooperation. The action plan provides guidance on sector-specific targets.
The whitepaper “Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions” was released on 27 October and provides an overview of the status quo and objectives of China’s climate change policies and highlights the country’s efforts to further the sustainable transformation of economic and social development. In addition to explaining strategic guidance on national and international climate change mitigation, the paper contextualises the goals of the updated NDC by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 and links them to measures already implemented.
In November, NGOA, NDRC, MOF and MEE published another “1+N” document on the role of the public sector in achieving carbon peaking. The “Implementation Plan for In-Depth Green and Low-Carbon Leading Actions for Public Institutions to Promote Carbon Peaking” is the first action plan for carbon peaking with an earlier timeline before 2025 for individual public institutions. In addition, the document identifies an annual cap of 189 million tonnes of standard carbon unit for energy consumption and a maximum annual carbon dioxide emission of 400 million tonnes of CO2 for public institutions in China.
Working guidance for carbon dioxide peaking and carbon neutrality
Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking before 2030
