Editorial Department from "China Chemical News"
On October 24, 2021, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China issued the Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy (hereinafter referred to as the "Guidance"). The "Guidance" adheres to the system concept and proposes 31 key tasks in 10 aspects.
Subsequently, on October 26, 2021, the State Council issued the Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the "Plan"). Particular focus will be placed on implementation of ten major peaking carbon dioxide emissions actions, which are the action for green and low-carbon energy transition; the action for energy saving, carbon emission mitigation and efficiency improvement; the action for peaking carbon dioxide emissions in industry sector; the action for peaking carbon dioxide emissions in urban-rural development area; the action for promoting green and low-carbon transportation; the action for promoting circular economy in carbon mitigation purpose; the action for advancing green and low-carbon technology innovation; the action for consolidating and enhancing carbon sink; the action for green and low-carbon society; the action for promoting all regions to peak carbon dioxide emissions hierarchically and orderly.
Achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality is a multi-dimensional and systematic project, involving every aspects of economic and social development. At present, the carbon neutrality and carbon peaking, and "1+N" policy framework have been basically established, and key actions in various fields are progressing in an orderly manner. The double carbon goals of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking have made a good start. In the next step, the progress of implementation of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality will be further accelerated.
"1" master guideline
The "Guidance" and "Plan" together constitute an overarching guide for the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and play a leading role in the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and "1+N" policy system. The master guideline documents set the main goals by 2025, 2030, and 2060, and mention for the first time that the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption in 2060 should reach more than 80%. Among them, the "Plan" proposes two main goals:
By 2025, the share of non-fossil fuels in total energy consumption will reach around 20%, while energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will drop by 13.5% and 18%, respectively, compared with 2020 levels, laying a solid foundation for carbon dioxide peaking.
By 2030, the share of non-fossil energy consumption will reach around 25%, and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will have dropped by more than 65% compared with the 2005 level, successfully achieving carbon dioxide peaking before 2030.
"N" central policies have been introduced one after another
After the introduction of master guideline, relevant central government bodies have successively hammered out implementation plans for different key sectors and industries, as well as supporting policies.
On November 27, 2021, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council issued the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-quality Development of Central Enterprises and Doing a Good Job in Carbon Neutralization, proposing to optimize the development layout of non-fossil energy and continuously increase the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption;
On December 3, 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China issued the 14th Five-Year Plan for Industrial Green Development, which identified that by 2025, the green and low-carbon transformation of industrial structure and production mode will achieve remarkable results; green and low-carbon technology and equipment will be widely used; the resource utilization efficiency will be greatly improved, and the green manufacturing level will be improved in an all-round way, laying a solid foundation for the carbon peak in the industrial field in 2030;
On January 24, 2022, the State Council issued the 14th Five-Year Comprehensive Work Plan for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction, proposing ten key projects such as green upgrades in key industries, and identifying specific goals and tasks;
On January 30, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the Opinions on Improving the System, Mechanism and Policy Measures for Energy Green and Low-Carbon Transformation. Based on our country’s carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals in energy fields, and insufficiency of current mechanism and policies, we must must focus on the whole process of energy production and consumption while deepening reforms of mechanisms, innovation and key policies in the energy sector. The overall requirements, key tasks and policy measures for improving the system and mechanism of energy green and low-carbon transformation have been put forward;
On February 10, eight departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Implementation Plan on Accelerating the Promotion of Comprehensive Utilization of Industrial Resources, which clearly stated that by 2025, the generation of industrial solid waste in key industries such as iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, and chemical industry will be declined, the comprehensive utilization of bulk industrial solid waste will be significantly improved, the renewable resources industry will continue to develop healthily, and the comprehensive utilization efficiency of industrial resources will be enhanced significantly;
On February 3, four departments including National Development and Reform Commission issued the Implementation Guidelines for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Transformation and Upgrading in Key Fields of High Energy-consuming Industries (2022 Edition). The guideline, focusing on 17 industries such as oil refining, cement, steel, and non-ferrous metal smelting, proposed transformation and upgrading working direction of energy saving and reduction and the specific goals by 2025;
On March 22, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the 14th Five-Year Plan for Modern Energy System, which made deployment and planning for vigorously developing non-fossil energy, accelerating the green and low-carbon transformation of energy, and building a new power system;
On March 23, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration issued the Medium and Long-Term Plan for the Development of Hydrogen Energy (2021-2035), making a long-term plan for the hydrogen energy industry to help green and low-carbon transformation and proposing some phased goals;
On March 28, six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of the Petrochemical and Chemical Industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan, which clarified the phased goal for the carbon peaking of the petrochemical and chemical industry and set specific quantitative goals for six aspects including innovative development, industrial structure, industrial layout, digital transformation and green, safe;
On April 2, the National Energy Administration and the Ministry of Science and Technology issued the 14th Five-Year Plan for Scientific and Technological Innovation in the Energy Sector, proposing that the existing major shortcomings in the energy sector have basically achieved breakthroughs, forward-looking and disruptive energy technologies are rapidly emerging, new business forms and new models continue to emerge, and a number of new advantages in energy longboard technology has been formed;
On April 7, six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the Guiding Opinions on Promoting Petrochemical and Chemical Industrial High-Quality Development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, proposing that by 2025, our country's petrochemical and chemical industry will basically form a high-quality development pattern with strong independent innovation capabilities, reasonable structure and layout, and green, safe and low-carbon, high-end product guarantee capabilities will be greatly improved, and core competitiveness will be significantly enhanced, stepping forward to a high-level self-reliance and self-improvement. The guiding opinions also clarified specific development goals in five aspects: innovation and development, industrial structure, industrial layout, digital transformation, and green, safe;
On May 7, the Ministry of Education issued the Action Plan for Strengthening the Construction of Higher Education Talent Training System in Carbon Sector, emphasizing 9 key tasks such as strengthening green and low-carbon education, building a high-level scientific and technological research platform, and accelerating the training of talents in short supply;
On May 31, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Guidelines for Preferential Tax Policies to Support Green Development. The Guidelines cover 56 preferential tax and fee policies to support green transition of social and economic development and implement the sustainable development strategy in four main aspects: supporting environmental protection, promoting energy conservation and environmental protection, encouraging comprehensive utilization of resources, and promoting the development of low-carbon industries;
On May 31, the Ministry of Finance issued the Opinions on Financial Support in Carbon Neutralization, proposing to adhere to the coordinated promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion, and growth. The new guideline are aimed at creating a fiscal and taxation policy system that promotes the efficient use of resources and green, low-carbon development, promoting better integration of promising government and effective market, and supporting the achievement of carbon peak carbon neutrality goals as scheduled;
On June 17, seven departments including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the Implementation Plan for Synergizing the Reduction of Pollution and Carbon Emission. The Plan proposes key task measures to promote synergistic effects of pollution reduction and carbon reduction in stages including strengthening the synergy of prevention and control at the source, optimizing the technological path, focusing on mechanism innovation, and encouraging the way of first and foremost trials;
On August 1, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment jointly issued the Implementation Plan for Carbon Peaking in the Industrial Sector, proposing that by 2025, the energy consumption per unit of added value of industrial enterprises above designated size will be reduced by 13.5% compared with 2020, the decline in carbon dioxide emissions per unit of industrial added value will be greater than that of the whole society, and the intensity of carbon dioxide emissions in key industries will drop significantly;
On August 18, nine departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology released the Science and Technology Implementation Plan to Support Carbon Reaching and Carbon Neutralization (2022-2030), proposing the scientific and technological innovation actions and safeguard measures to support the carbon peaking goal by 2030, and make research preparations for realizing carbon neutrality by 2060.
"N" supporting policies in various places
"N" policy not only refers to the central government policies, but also the specific implementation policies of the provinces, which are issued in the form of strategic guidance documents, safeguard supporting documents, and local regulations.
On December 30, 2021, Hebei Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, focusing on the three time points of 2025, 2030 and 2060, respectively. Five development goals are put forward, including the green, low-carbon and circular development of the economic system in each period, the clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system, the energy utilization efficiency, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption, the level of carbon dioxide emissions, and the carbon sink capacity of the ecosystem;
On February 17, 2022, Zhejiang Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing that it will strengthen the concept of public energy conservation and carbon reduction, cultivate a green lifestyle, and develop a national green and low-carbon lifestyles, such as carbon inclusive actions;
On February 23, Henan Province issued the Henan Province's Modern Energy System and Carbon Neutrality Plan during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, pointing out that it will actively promote the efficient use of solar energy, and explore photovoltaic power generation and 5G, hydrogen production, and the efficient integration of new fields such as new energy vehicle charging facilities;
On March 1, the Shanghai Stock Exchange published an official document titled the Programme of Action on Carbon Neutrality and Action during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, actively focusing on the national green and low-carbon policies, and relevant guidance of the China Securities Regulatory Commission on the green development of the capital market, combined with international advanced experience and the development status of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the overall industry. Then six suggestions are put forward in the action including optimizing equity financing services, accelerating the development of green bonds, expanding green investment products, promoting market opening, strengthening publicity and research on green finance, and promoting the construction of green and low-carbon exchanges. specific action measures;
On March 22, Hunan Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing to focus on supporting energy storage and smart grids, the integration of renewable energy application technology and building, the research and development of major technologies such as low-carbon process remodeling, carbon capture, utilization and storage, waste recycling and remanufacturing, energy storage, and hydrogen energy in high-energy-consuming industries;
On March 31, Sichuan Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing to strive to make technological breakthroughs such as promoting high-efficiency solar cells, renewable energy hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilization, and production, material raw material fuel substitution, zero-carbon comprehensive energy supply, fuel cells, zero-carbon industrial process reengineering, and high-value utilization of carbon dioxide;
On April 6, Jiangxi Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing to benchmark the international and domestic scientific and technological frontiers, scientifically formulate a carbon neutral technology roadmap, and strengthen low-carbon basic research and technical research on green carbon emissions, carbon sinks, carbon capture, utilization and storage;
On May 13, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing that by 2060, a green, low-carbon and circular development of an economic system and a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system will be fully established, the energy utilization efficiency will reach the international advanced level, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will account more than 80%, and the carbon neutrality goal will be successfully achieved;
On June 28, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing that by 2060, a green, low-carbon and circular development of the economic system and clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system will be fully established, the energy utilization efficiency will reach the international advanced level, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will meet the national requirements, and the carbon neutrality goal will be successfully achieved;
On July 18, Jiangxi Province issued the Jiangxi Province Carbon Peaking Implementation Plan, proposing to strengthen the coordinated development of source, network, load and storage, the demonstration and promotion of new energy storage systems, the development of "new energy + energy storage" and the promotion of wind-solar-storage integration, and promote the coordination and synchronization of new energy power stations and power grids;
On July 25, Guangdong Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing that by 2050, a new power system with new energy as main body will be fully established, and the overall energy efficiency will be improved and reach the international advanced level, the carbon sink capacity of the ecosystem will be continuously improved, and the low-carbon, zero-carbon and negative-carbon technology will be widely used;
On July 28, Shanghai issued the Shanghai Carbon Peak Implementation Plan, which clarified that by 2025, carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP should ensure the completion of the national target and by 2030 carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will be reduced by 70% compared with 2005, to ensure the carbon peak by 2030;
On August 1, Jilin Province issued the Jilin Province Carbon Peak Implementation Plan, proposing that by 2025, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption will reach 17.7%, and the energy consumption per unit of GDP and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP should ensure the completion of the national target, to lay a solid foundation for carbon peaking by 2030;
On August 22, Fujian Province issued the Implementation Opinions on Completely, Accurately and Comprehensively Implementing the New Development Concept and Committing to Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization Work, proposing that by 2025, the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of regional GDP should be reduced and achieve the national goals, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption should reach 27.40%, the forest coverage rate should increase by 0.12 percentage points compared with 2020, and the forest stock volume should reach 779 million cubic meters;
On August 22, Hainan Province issued the Hainan Province Carbon Peak Implementation Plan, proposing that by 2025, the proportion of non-fossil energy consumption should increase to more than 22%, the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of regional GDP should be reduced and achieve the national goals, and energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP continue to decline.
