On 1 December 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) revised , requiring mine operators to capture coal mine gas with a methane concentration above 8%. This is the first revision after the standard has been released in 2008. China is currently the largest methane emitter globally, and while
With its “Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025-2027)”, China aims to build a joint technical platform for monitoring and forecasting climate and weather conditions, especially extreme weather events, as well as to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms for early warning. In accordance with the UN’s “Early Warning for All” Initiative, the plan aims to enhance sharing of knowledge and tools for climate-related risk assessment in developing countries. It proposes the installation of three geostationary satellites to monitor climate events in Africa, Asia and Oceania, training of staff to operate the monitoring stations, and sharing of best practices and policies.
The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) published its “Annual Report on China’s Policies and Actions to Address Climate Change 2024” on 6 November 2024, just ahead of COP29. The report summarises the results of China’s actions since 2023 and gives an overview of new policies and requirements to address
Two new policies regarding carbon emissions accounting have been released. The “Work Plan to Strengthen the Carbon Emissions Statistical Accounting System”, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, outlines a two-phase approach to enhance the robustness and accuracy of carbon emissions data and to strengthen regulatory oversight and management of emissions across sectors and regions. The “Guidelines for the Formulation of Carbon Footprint Accounting Rules and Standards for Key Industrial Products”, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology , aim to develop 200 carbon footprint accounting standards across key industries with high international trade volumes and significant emission reduction potential, such as steel, petrochemicals, new energy vehicles, and electronics.
To improve its national spatial planning system, China aims to harmonize the existing standards for spatial planning and to set up a national standards system. To this end, on 14 October 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Standardization Administration of China issued the “Three-Year Action Plan for the
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of China has released the “Implementation Opinions on Solidly Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful China through the Protection and Sustainable Utilisation of Natural Resources” on 5 August 2024, proposing 28 measures for the improvement of the national spatial development pattern and the conservation of natural resources. The policy emphasises that protecting natural resources is an inherent requirement for “building a Beautiful China” (strategic concept of the Chinese government emphasising effective ecological protection, sustainable resource use, and harmonious coexistence with nature). Main points mentioned are the improvement of the national spatial planning system, the establishment of a system of natural protected area with national parks, and the strengthening of energy and resource management.
The Action Plan for High-Quality Distribution Grid Development (2024–2027) issued by China’s National Energy Administration (NEA) complements the broader strategy outlined in the Action Plan for Accelerating the New Type Power System (2024–2027). This plan specifically focuses on upgrading China’s distribution grid to meet the challenges posed by the energy transition and the nation’s carbon neutrality goals. It aims to ensure the grid’s capacity to handle the increasing demand from emerging market participants such as distributed renewable energy sources and electric vehicles (EVs).
In September 2024, China has issued several key policy documents to expand and gradually refine both its compliance carbon market and its voluntary emissions reduction mechanisms.
The Work Plan for Expanding the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market to Include the Cement, Steel, and Electrolytic Aluminium Industries released by the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) at the beginning of September 2024 has garnered widespread attention. The draft that has been put up for public consultation proposes the inclusion of high-emission sectors such as cement, iron and steel, as well as electrolytic aluminium into the national carbon trading system (referred to as national ETS), starting already in 2024. This move will greatly expand the market’s coverage to around 8 Gts of CO2, which make up 60% of China’s total emissions, according to the MEE.
In August 2024, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), National Energy Administration (NEA), and National Data Administration (NDA) jointly released the “Action Plan for Accelerating the New Type Power System (2024–2027)”. This action plan is designed to advance China’s energy transition and align it with national goals to achieve carbon peaking and neutrality (“dual carbon” targets). It addresses pressing challenges in power system transformation, such as grid modernisation, renewable energy integration, and energy security.
