The Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other departments jointly issued the “15th Five-Year Plan for Combating Climate Change”

The Zhitong Finance App learned that recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with the National Development and Reform Commission and other departments, jointly released the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” to combat climate change. The plan puts forward general requirements. During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, new significant progress was made in dealing with climate change and carbon sequestration. The carbon peak target was achieved as scheduled, and the country's independent contribution in 2030 was fully completed. By 2030, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product will be reduced by 17% compared to 2025. The national carbon emissions trading market covers the industry and the carbon dioxide emissions per product will be reduced by about 3% compared to 2025. A national greenhouse gas voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market with integrity and transparency, broad participation, and international integration will be built. The product carbon footprint management system will be basically completed, the monitoring and control of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases will be strengthened, and the working system for adapting to climate change is more complete. The working system for adapting to climate change is more complete. Construction has progressed in stages, awareness and capacity to deal with climate change continues to increase, and China's influence, guidance, shaping power, and moral appeal in global climate governance have increased markedly.

The original text is as follows:

The country's “15th Five-Year Plan” to combat climate change

In order to further implement the national strategy to respond positively to climate change, comprehensively promote the construction of a beautiful China, and achieve the carbon peak target as scheduled, this plan was prepared in accordance with the “Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China”, “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” and “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan” for the “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan for Building a Beautiful China” and “Fifteenth Five-Year Plan of Action”.

I. General Requirements

Adhere to Xi Jinping's ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era as the guide, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the 20th Plenary Session of the CPC, earnestly implement Xi Jinping's ideology of ecological civilization, with the goal of implementing national independent contributions, mitigation and adaptation to climate change as the main line, scientific and technological progress and institutional innovation as the driving force, enhance climate resilience, and enhance the momentum for green development. Combating climate change is a pioneering model field for implementing global governance initiatives to continuously improve the global climate governance system and promote the building of common human destiny The body makes a greater contribution.

During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, significant new progress was made in dealing with climate change and carbon neutrality. The carbon peak target was achieved as scheduled, and the country's independent contribution in 2030 was fully completed. By 2030, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product will be reduced by 17% compared to 2025. The national carbon emissions trading market covers the industry and the carbon dioxide emissions per product will be reduced by about 3% compared to 2025. A national greenhouse gas voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading market with integrity and transparency, broad participation, and international integration will be built. The product carbon footprint management system will be basically completed, the monitoring and control of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases will be strengthened, and the working system for adapting to climate change is more complete. The working system for adapting to climate change is more complete. Construction has progressed in stages, awareness and capacity to deal with climate change continues to increase, and China's influence, guidance, shaping power, and moral appeal in global climate governance have increased markedly. On this basis, we will work hard for another five years to fully achieve national independent contributions in 2035 and lay a solid foundation for achieving carbon neutrality.

II. Controlling carbon dioxide emissions in key areas

(1) Accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation of the economy and society

Implement a dual control system for total carbon emissions and intensity, speed up the construction of a new energy system, vigorously develop non-fossil energy sources, implement renewable energy consumption alternatives, and push coal and oil consumption to peak. New construction, renovation, or expansion of coal projects within the country's key areas for air pollution prevention and control should be replaced by equivalent or reduced amounts of coal. Continue to promote industrial restructuring, strengthen ecological and environmental impact assessments of greenhouse gas emissions, energy saving reviews, and carbon emission assessments, resolutely curb the blind launch of “two high and one low” projects, eliminate backward production capacity according to law and regulations, and speed up the elimination of inefficient production capacity. Continue to expand the application of green electricity and build the green certificate market with high quality. Vigorously develop green and low-carbon industries, and build ecological industrial parks, zero-carbon factories and parks, and zero-carbon computing power facilities. Promote the green and low-carbon transformation of urban and rural construction, and promote green construction methods. Accelerate the green and low-carbon development of transportation, and increase the proportion of bulk cargo railways, waterways, and new energy vehicles.

(2) Consolidate and enhance the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems

Promote integrated protection and systematic management of grass and sand in landscapes, forests, fields and lakes, scientifically carry out large-scale land greening, and implement accurate forest quality improvement projects. Coordinate the construction of the “Three North” project, important ecosystem protection and restoration projects. Relying on and expanding natural resource survey and monitoring systems to strengthen ecosystem carbon sink measurement, monitoring and accounting and carbon storage survey and evaluation.

(3) Further promote the synergy of pollution reduction and carbon reduction

Formulate technical guidelines for collaborative pollution reduction and carbon reduction treatment of key industries and ecological environment infrastructure. Reduce the production and use of solvent-based raw and auxiliary materials. Build a number of green development benchmarks for pollution reduction and carbon reduction. Stimulate the participation of various actors through carbon trading, ecological compensation, green finance, etc.

III. Strengthening the control of non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases

(4) Strengthen methane emission control

Promote the construction of coal mine gas utilization projects and strengthen the recycling of associated gas and exhaust air in oil fields. Promote water-saving irrigation technology for rice fields, raise the level of livestock and poultry manure treatment and resource utilization, and further reduce the intensity of methane emissions per unit of agricultural product. Strengthen the comprehensive remediation of domestic waste landfills and improve the efficiency of sewage treatment. Encourage places in a position to do so to carry out special actions to control methane emissions.

(5) Strengthening nitrous oxide emission control

Guide adipic acid, nitric acid, and caprolactam manufacturers to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by installing catalysts, etc. Promote the scientific application of chemical fertilizers. Control nitrous oxide emissions in agriculture and waste treatment.

(6) Promoting fluorine gas emission control

Control of fluorinated gases such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride, and nitrogen trifluoride is strengthened through measures such as source substitution, recycling, and terminal destruction. Strictly implement the HFC production and use quota management system. Prepare and implement sulfur hexafluoride control plans and related technical specifications.

Column 1 Major non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emission control projects

Construct non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas treatment projects such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorine gases according to local conditions to promote the formation of 30 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emission reduction capacity.

01 Implement methane emission control demonstration projects such as low-concentration gas heat storage oxidation (catalytic oxidation) and enrichment purification in key areas of methane emissions.

02 In the field of industrial nitrous oxide, measures are being taken to reduce direct emissions while promoting nitrous oxide recycling.

03 Carry out recovery and replacement of sulfur hexafluoride in power equipment.

IV. Strengthening the construction of a national carbon market

(7) Accelerate the construction of a national carbon emissions trading market

Give full play to the important supporting role of the carbon emissions trading market in implementing dual control of carbon emissions. Expand coverage of industries and types of greenhouse gases in an orderly manner. Prioritize total quota control for industries with relatively stable total carbon emissions, steadily implement a combination of free and paid carbon emission quota distribution methods, increase the proportion of paid allocations in an orderly manner, and establish quota reserves and market regulation mechanisms. Strengthen supervision of the whole process of carbon emission data quality, and strengthen carbon emission measurement review.

(8) Actively develop a high-quality national greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading market

Normalize the collection, evaluation, selection and publication of methodological proposals for the national greenhouse gas voluntary emission reduction trading market. Strengthen the overall management of carbon emission reduction resources across the country and standardize various voluntary emission reduction trading activities. Strengthen the management of the entire project and emission reduction chain, and expand the professional talent team of certification and inspection agencies. Promote the application of certified voluntary emission reductions, and actively serve the international compliance of enterprises in relevant industries and carbon neutrality of products.

(9) Enhancing the vitality and efficiency of the carbon market

Establish and improve policy systems such as carbon pledge and carbon repurchase, and encourage financial institutions to explore and develop financial products and services related to the carbon market. Enrich market players, steadily promote financial institutions that meet the requirements to participate in national carbon emission rights transactions on the premise that they comply with the law and that risks are manageable, and introduce other non-compliant entities in due course. Improve the carbon market price formation mechanism, improve the efficiency of carbon emission reduction resource allocation, and effectively reduce emission reduction costs for the whole society. Improve market transaction risk prevention, early warning and handling procedures, and strengthen the supervision of trading behavior. Strengthen guidance and supervision of the carbon emissions trading pilot market.

(10) Expanding the international influence of China's carbon market

Actively participate in the formulation of international carbon market rules, strengthen the link between methodologies and standards, and promote the establishment of new international carbon market cooperation mechanisms and organizations. Organize the China Carbon Market Conference.

Column 2 Major Projects for Digital and Intelligent Upgrading of the National Carbon Market

Establish a digital and intelligent carbon emission control system integrating trustworthy collection, intelligent analysis, and efficient supervision for the areas and industries covered by the carbon market.

01 Build a trusted data collection network. Build a high-accuracy carbon emission accounting data collection network through new technology such as the Internet of Things, build a reliable data collection infrastructure, deploy more than 10,000 nationally certified voluntary emission reduction network monitoring gateways, form a unified data base and data integration mechanism, and achieve the digital transformation and intelligent rise of supervisory capabilities.

02 Build a large model auxiliary support network. Coordinate and integrate the national carbon emission rights registration system, transaction system, data reporting system and national platforms related to voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction, introduce advanced technology such as large models to achieve intelligent digital management of core aspects such as data review, project management, and market analysis, and comprehensively strengthen transaction behavior monitoring, compliance management, and market warning capabilities.

03 Launch pilot smart accounting for terminals in key industries. Among key emission units, a pilot terminal-level carbon emission accounting service was launched to automate data collection, visualization of process monitoring, and intelligent monitoring of abnormal fluctuations in key emission processes. Implement terminal intelligent monitoring services for different types of voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.

04 Informatization infrastructure capacity building. Build basic informatization capabilities covering computer room construction, network architecture, hardware updates, platform platforms, etc., and improve standard systems and professional talent teams to form a safe, stable, and sustainable digital governance foundation for the carbon market.

5. Establish and improve a carbon footprint management system

(11) Consolidate the working foundation of carbon footprint

Formulate product carbon footprint accounting and carbon emission limit standards for key products. Relying on the national greenhouse gas emission factor database, accelerate the construction of a national product carbon footprint factor database, encourage industries, regions, and enterprises to develop segmented product carbon footprint factors or develop databases to connect and supplement the national database. Strengthen product carbon footprint data quality management, and strengthen data security and property rights protection.

(12) Improve logo authentication and management mechanisms

Carry out pilot work on product carbon footprint certification in an orderly manner, promote the formulation of product carbon labeling certification management measures, and standardize the certification process and management of third party agencies. Research and establish a product carbon footprint classification management and information disclosure system.

(13) Enrich product carbon footprint application scenarios

Continue to promote the integration of product carbon footprint requirements into trade, finance, and industrial policies, and apply them to scenarios such as government procurement and green finance. Priority is given to selecting products with a complete industrial chain and high traceability to support local policy innovation and enterprises in key industries to try first.

(14) Promoting international alignment of carbon footprint rules

Track and assess international trends in carbon footprints, strengthen international exchanges and links with standard rules, and promote the localization of international standards. Organize industry associations, enterprises, etc. to actively participate in the revision of international regulations on the carbon footprint of products, and gradually promote international recognition of factor data, certification results, and service agencies. Support and guide enterprises in dealing with international carbon-related trade rules.

6. Improving climate risk response capabilities

(15) Improving the climate change adaptation work system

Improve the entire climate change “observation-assessment-actions-feedback-improvement” workflow. Clarify the division of tasks among climate change adaptation departments, and improve the responsibility system for climate change adaptation work at the provincial, municipal, and county levels. Explore the establishment of a climate adaptive social evaluation index system, and establish a system for evaluating the progress and effectiveness of adaptation to climate change. Deepen the construction of climate-adaptive cities.

(16) Conduct climate change risk assessments

Improve climate and climate change observation networks, enhance multi-layer collaborative observation capabilities of the Earth system, and strengthen the construction of Earth system data platforms. Establish an early warning system for climate change risks and strengthen climate risk monitoring and estimation in climate-sensitive areas, ecologically fragile areas, and densely populated areas. Conduct research on the correlation between land and ocean carbon cycles and climate risk, strengthen the investigation and judgment of the impact of climate change on the ecological environment, and establish a climate change risk assessment and consultation system. Research and prepare climate change risk zoning in China.

(17) Strengthening response to extreme weather and climate events

Accelerate the establishment of a next-generation short-term warning business system, and establish a government-led early warning information release system. Improve the linkage mechanism for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, and make up for the shortcomings in flood prevention, drainage, and disaster relief infrastructure in the northern region. Guide population, infrastructure, and industry to optimize the layout of regions with low risk of climate disasters.

7. Strengthening action to adapt to climate change

(18) Strengthening natural ecosystem adaptation actions

Build and improve an intensive, collaborative and efficient ecological environment monitoring network. Strengthen disaster warning and climate risk assessment in terrestrial ecosystems, strengthen adaptive management of forest grassland wetland desert ecosystems, and enhance the ability of forest grass ecosystems, coastal zones and coastal areas to adapt to climate change. Improve technical methods and policies for synergies between climate action and biodiversity conservation.

(19) Strengthening actions to adapt economic and social systems

Establish and improve food security systems adapted to climate change, and vigorously develop climate-smart agriculture. Strengthen health adaptation actions to climate change and strengthen the dynamic assessment of health risks, vulnerability and adaptability to climate change. Strengthen climate risk management for infrastructure and major projects. Strengthen urban climate risk assessments and encourage cities to develop climate risk maps. Improve the climate resilience of sensitive secondary and tertiary industries.

(20) Implementing priority regional adaptation actions

Construct a territorial spatial pattern adapted to climate change, and strengthen the integration of comprehensive climate impact and disaster risk assessment information with territorial spatial information. Improve and implement the main functional area strategy, and comprehensively enhance the adaptability of different main functional areas. Strengthen actions to adapt to climate change in key ecologically safe regions and key urban agglomerations. Firmly carry out provincial climate change adaptation actions.

8. Enhancing climate change management capabilities

(21) Improve the standards of laws, regulations, and systems in the field of climate

Continue to promote the enactment of special laws to combat climate change and carbon neutrality, and encourage places in a position to do so to implement local climate legislation first. Improve basic general standards for dealing with climate change and standards related to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

(22) Improve the carbon emission statistics and accounting system

Establish an annual and rapid reporting system for carbon emissions at the national and provincial levels, promote the preparation of provincial greenhouse gas inventories, and improve dynamic monitoring and early warning mechanisms. Strengthen the construction of a national greenhouse gas emission factor database, and regularly update national and provincial electricity emission factors. Promote the construction of a national greenhouse gas monitoring network. Report and verify non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emission data. Strengthen basic capacity building for carbon measurement. Strengthen the interdepartmental link and sharing of data related to carbon emissions.

Column 3 National Greenhouse Gas Emission Factors Database Construction Project

By continuously enriching the types and quantities of factors localizing greenhouse gas emissions in China, improving the emission factor information system, and striving to build a national greenhouse gas emission factor database with “wide coverage, strong applicability and high credibility”, it provides basic support for establishing a unified and standardized carbon emission statistical accounting system.

01 Increase the level of coverage and localization of greenhouse gas emission factors. Strengthen the configuration of professional testing equipment for parameters related to greenhouse gas emission factors, carry out testing of parameters related to emission factors in the fields of energy activities, industrial production processes and product use, agricultural activities, waste treatment, etc., and improve the ability to detect parameters related to emission factors, as well as the ability to generate and update localized emission factors.

02 Improve the level of information-based management of greenhouse gas emission factors. Improve the national greenhouse gas emission factor database information system, covering modules such as national and local carbon emission factors, greenhouse gas inventory factors, industry enterprise emission factors, product carbon footprint factors, etc., to achieve functions such as information-based data collection, accounting, analysis, review, storage and publication of direct emission factors, indirect emission factors, product carbon footprint factors, etc.

(23) Give full play to the supporting role of fiscal price and financial policies

Coordinate the use of various funding channels to support eligible projects to combat climate change. Support the construction of a climate change capacity system through air pollution prevention and control funds. Improve the price formation mechanism for resources and environmental factors. Actively promote the development of climate investment and financing, and deepen local pilot projects.

(24) Strengthening scientific and technological innovation to address climate change

Strengthen research on key processes and mechanisms of climate change, develop “AI+” high-precision Earth system numerical simulation technology and inverse integration technology, and construct a new generation of comprehensive assessment models and policy simulation optimization systems to combat climate change. Strengthen the promotion of integrated applications of climate science and technology, and continue to publish the “Catalogue of Low-Carbon Technologies Promoted by the State”. Promote research and engineering demonstration of technologies related to carbon capture, utilization and storage. Support the development of HFC alternatives and alternative technology research and application.

(25) Promoting broad participation of the whole society

Organize and carry out publicity activities to combat climate change around important events such as National Ecology Day, National Energy Conservation Awareness Week, and National Low Carbon Day. Promote carbon neutrality for large-scale events and offset carbon emissions through the use of certified voluntary emission reductions. Promote the concept of a green and low-carbon lifestyle and consumption methods, encourage electricity users to use green certificates to achieve full green electricity consumption, and guide and standardize local carbon inclusion mechanisms. Build a green and low-carbon national education system, and strengthen the construction of specialized disciplines related to dealing with climate change.

IX. Actively participate and lead global climate governance

(26) Constructive leadership of multilateral governance processes to address climate change

Adhere to the principles of fairness, common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, firmly uphold the status of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the “Convention”) and its Paris Agreement as the main channel, and promote full, effective and continuous implementation. Adhere to true multilateralism, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, promote proper handling of climate and trade issues, strengthen international collaboration on green technology and industry, and promote the free flow of green and low-carbon products. Construct a new climate governance narrative, actively maintain climate fairness and justice, and promote just transformation. Deeply participate in multilateral climate change negotiations through various channels.

(27) Firmly do a good job in implementing transparency agreements

Effectively fulfill China's reporting and review obligations under the Convention and the Paris Agreement, and normalize the preparation of China's national climate change information notifications, biennial transparency reports and national greenhouse gas inventory reports, submit them to the Convention secretariat on schedule, and accept international reviews.

(28) Deepening bilateral and multilateral international exchanges and cooperation

Implement bilateral and regional mechanisms to address climate change, make good use of multilateral platforms for climate control, and strengthen dialogue, exchanges and practical cooperation with countries, relevant United Nations agencies and other international organizations. Actively promote Xi Jinping's idea of ecological civilization and China's positive results in dealing with climate change, and regularly publish progress reports and white papers on China's policies and actions to address climate change. Promote multi-level international climate change exchanges and cooperation among local authorities, research institutes, etc.

(29) Continuing to strengthen South-South cooperation to address climate change

Actively implement global development initiatives and deepen South-South cooperation to address climate change. Strengthen the coordination of existing resources, promote the construction of low-carbon demonstration zones and the development and implementation of flagship projects such as “African Light Belt”, “Clean Stove” and “Early Warning” in an orderly manner, and create replicable, promotable, and popular project models. Organize and conduct seminars on capacity building. Strengthen the dissemination of achievements, spread China's narrative, and enhance China's influence in global climate governance. Explore building multi-stakeholder, multi-level climate partnerships.

10. Organization and implementation

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission are promoting the implementation of the plan in an integrated manner, and various departments have strengthened work collaboration to form joint efforts. Plan and implement a package of major projects to combat climate change. Do a good job of dynamic monitoring, mid-term evaluation, and summary evaluation of the implementation of plans, and strengthen the implementation of local goals and tasks.

This article was selected from the “Ministry of Ecology and Environment” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Xu Wenqiang.