China Climate Policy Tracker -- Jan. 2025

Monthly updates with a Google sheet: Policies and documents from CPC Central Committee, state council, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and other relevant departments

If China's climate change governance truly follows a top-down, centralized system, it is logical to examine what the country's top authorities have stated.

This monthly compilation features China's top, official documents on carbon-related efforts in January 2025. These policy documents are categorized into three levels: first and foremost, those issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) or the State Council (typically the most important documents in China). Secondly, documents from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (the primary department responsible for addressing climate change). Lastly, documents from other relevant departments.

The motivation behind this compilation is the recognition that, while these documents are of paramount importance, regrettably, only a small portion are available in English. It is my hope that this legwork will bridge informational gaps and offer global insights into China's climate dynamics.

Some documents are accompanied by contextual notes, and a Google Sheet (updated every month) is provided at the end for reference and sharing. — Yuzhe He

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1. Documents from CPC Central Committee or the State Council

国务院办公厅转发生态环境部《关于建设美丽中国先行区的实施意见》的通知

Notice from the General Office of the State Council forwarding the Decision on Implementation of Launching Pilot Zones for the Beautiful China Initiative by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment

一、总体要求

以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入贯彻党的二十大和二十届二中、三中全会精神，全面贯彻习近平生态文明思想，牢固树立和践行绿水青山就是金山银山的理念，落实全国生态环境保护大会要求，聚焦全面推进美丽中国建设中心任务，以深化污染防治攻坚、改善生态环境质量、增进民生福祉为着力点，坚持改革创新、重点突破、示范带动，在区域、省域、城市、县域各层级，聚焦推动绿色低碳发展、促进生态环境根本好转、加强生态保护修复、筑牢生态安全底线、深化生态文明体制改革等目标任务，分级分类建设美丽中国先行区（以下简称先行区），到2027年底前形成一批实践创新和制度创新成果，久久为功建成若干各美其美、群众满意的示范样板，为全面推进美丽中国建设积累经验、树立标杆。

I. Overall Requirements

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, we will thoroughly implement the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, comprehensively carry out Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization and firmly believes that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and acts accordingly. In accordance with the requirements of the National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection, we will focus on the central task of comprehensively advancing the Beautiful China Initiative. With an emphasis on deepening pollution prevention and control, improving ecological and environmental quality, and enhancing public well-being, we will adhere to reform and innovation, prioritize breakthroughs, and promote demonstration efforts. We will focus on promoting green and low-carbon development, fundamentally improving the environment, strengthening ecological protection and restoration, ensuring ecological security, and deepening reforms in ecological conservation across regional, provincial, urban, and county levels. Through a tiered and categorized approach, we will establish pilot zones for the Beautiful China Initiative (hereinafter referred to as "pilot zones"), aiming to achieve practical and institutional innovations by the end of 2027, and build a number of exemplary models that are both beautiful and well-received by the people. These efforts will accumulate experience and set benchmarks for the comprehensive advancement of the Beautiful China Initiative.

Note:

1. The document was originally issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) and then forwarded by the General Office of the State Council. This selective forwarding upgrades the document from a ministry-level to a state-level one, granting it greater administrative authority.

2. It is the second release under Beautiful China Initiative. The Initiative follows a "1+1+N" policy framework: the first "1" is the guiding document issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in 2023, titled "Guidelines to Comprehensively Promote the development of a Beautiful China 中共中央国务院关于全面推进美丽中国建设的意见," which outlines the overarching measures for the initiative. The second "1" is this document. The "N" refers to various action plans tailored to specific domains.

3. Pilot zones will be established “through a tiered and categorized approach”(分级分类), with explanations provided at regional, provincial, and urban-rural levels in the following.

4. Deadline is the end of 2027, by which time a series of “practical and institutional innovations”(实践创新和制度创新成果) are expected to be achieved.

二、聚焦区域重大战略打造绿色发展高地

国家层面紧扣高质量发展要求，深入落实区域协调发展战略和区域重大战略，突出京津冀、长三角、粤港澳大湾区三大区域，协同推进长江、黄河流域高水平保护，聚焦解决跨省共性问题，加强区域绿色发展协作，深化生态环境共保联治，形成各具特色的美丽中国建设布局。

II. Focus on Major Regional Strategies to Foster Pacesetters for Green Development

At the national level, we will closely align with the requirements for high-quality development, thoroughly implement the coordinated regional development strategy and major regional strategies. Emphasis will be placed on the three key regions of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. We will collaboratively promote high-standard protection of the Yangtze and Yellow River basins, and address inter-provincial common issues. Efforts will be made to strengthen regional green development cooperation and deepen joint protection of the environment and ecosystems, thereby forming a distinctive layout for the Beautiful China Initiative.

Note:

1. Three regions and two basins, each with specific tasks: 京津冀Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, 长三角the Yangtze River Delta, 粤港澳大湾区Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, 长江、黄河流域 Yangtze and Yellow River basins.

三、发挥特色谱写美丽中国建设省域篇章

充分发挥省域在美丽中国建设中的主体作用，落实区域重大战略要求，一体部署本地区美丽城市、美丽乡村等“美丽系列”建设工作，立足各自优势和特色探索实践，在推动绿色低碳发展、促进生态环境根本好转、加强生态保护修复、筑牢生态安全底线、深化生态文明体制改革五个方面走在前、作表率。本着少而精、示范性与带动性强的原则，坚持一省域一特色，重点支持5个左右省份开展先行区建设。

III. Leverage Regional Characteristics to Contribute to the Development of a Beautiful China at the Provincial Level

We will fully leverage the major role of provinces in the development of a Beautiful China, implement major regional strategies and coordinate local efforts for the "Beautiful Series", including beautiful cities and beautiful countryside. By building on local advantages and characteristics, provinces will lead the way in five key areas: promoting green and low-carbon development, fundamentally improving environment, strengthening ecological protection and restoration, ensuring ecological security, and deepening reforms in ecological conservation. With a focus on quality over quantity and the goal of creating strong, demonstrative models, each province will focus on its unique features. Priority support will be given to approximately five provinces to establish pilot zones.

Note:

1. “Progressive reform(渐进式改革),” “crossing the river by feeling the stones(摸着石头过河)”—whatever you call it—is indeed a practical approach that China has developed during its reform and opening-up. "Pilot zones" implies that initiatives will first be launched in a select few provinces with unique characteristics before being rolled out more widely.

2. Approximately five provinces will be given priority support, though the names have not been made public.

四、统筹城乡推进美丽中国建设行动

聚焦城乡生态环境保护重点领域和突出问题，探索城市、整县推进美丽中国建设实践的新机制、新模式，引导全社会积极行动。重点支持50个左右城市、100个左右县开展先行区建设，率先形成一批美丽城市、美丽乡村建设示范标杆。

IV. Promote the Development of a Beautiful China through Coordinated Urban and Rural Development

We will focus on key areas and prominent issues of ecological and environmental protection in both urban and rural areas, explore new mechanisms and models for advancing the Beautiful China Initiative at the city and county levels, guiding the entire society to take proactive action. Priority support will be given to approximately 50 cities and 100 counties to establish pilot zones, aiming to form exemplary models for the development of beautiful cities and beautiful countryside.

Note:

1. At the primary level, there will be about 50 cities and 100 counties as pilot zones.

五、支持引导政策

（十三）强化资金支持。……

（十四）完善市场化机制。……

（十五）强化科技支撑。……

V. Support and Guidance Policies

(13) Strengthen financial support. …

(14) Improve market-oriented mechanisms. …

(15) Strengthen technological support. …

Note:

1. More money will be allocated for both large-scale projects and technological innovation.

2. Market-oriented mechanisms will be optimized, allowing more financial products and services.

2. Documents from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment

A. 关于印发《产品碳足迹核算标准编制工作指引》的通知

Notice on the Issuance of the “Guidelines for the Preparation of Product Carbon Footprint Accounting Standards”

Note:

1. A "carbon footprint management system" (碳足迹管理体系) has been proposed again and again in 2024, at lease at three crucial meetings: the Two Sessions (Government Work Report), the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, and the 2024 Central Economic Conference. Its significance is evident.

2. The standards serve the goal of "By 2027, develop and release around 100 key product carbon footprint accounting standards; by 2030, develop and release around 200 key product carbon footprint accounting standards." (到2027年，制定出台100个左右重点产品碳足迹核算规则标准；到2030年，制定出台200个左右重点产品碳足迹核算规则标准)

3. The problems with current product carbon footprint accounting standards are their "limited coverage, weak impact, and insufficient standardization." (覆盖率不高、影响力不强、规范性不足), according to the official explanation from the Ministry.

4. The "Guidelines" outline 20 key tasks across four main areas, with each task highlighted as the first sentence in bold at the beginning of each paragraph.

   1. 一是明确碳足迹核算标准制定路线与技术要求。内容包括明确碳足迹核算标准制定路线，统一碳足迹核算标准文本、核算边界、活动数据获取和因子数据质量要求，加强碳足迹核算数据质量管控工作等内容。

      Clarifying the formulation process and technical requirements for the carbon footprint accounting standard. This includes defining the steps for developing the carbon footprint accounting standard, standardizing the quality requirements for the text of the accounting guidelines, accounting boundaries, activity data acquisition, and factor data, as well as enhancing efforts to control the quality of carbon footprint accounting data.

   2. 二是协调各类碳足迹核算标准协同发力。包括稳步推进碳足迹国家标准制定，明确碳足迹行业标准制定重点，规范碳足迹地方标准，探索制定新兴领域碳足迹团体标准，鼓励链主企业研制碳足迹企业标准，定期开展碳足迹核算标准的后评估工作。

      Coordinating the efforts among various carbon footprint accounting standards. This includes steadily advancing the development of national carbon footprint standards, defining key industry-specific standards, regulating local carbon footprint standards, exploring group standards for emerging sectors, encouraging "chain masters" to establish corporate carbon footprint standards, and conducting regular post-assessment of carbon footprint accounting standards.

   3. 三是促进碳足迹核算标准有序衔接和实施应用。包括完善碳足迹核算标准协调机制，加强碳足迹行业标准跨部门协调，完善碳足迹团体标准评价采信机制，促进碳足迹核算标准有效应用，加强碳足迹核算标准宣贯培训。

      Promoting the seamless connection and implementation of carbon footprint accounting standards. This includes improving the coordination mechanisms for carbon footprint accounting standards, strengthening cross-department coordination on industry standards, refining the evaluation and adoption mechanism for group standards, promoting the effective application of carbon footprint accounting standards, and enhancing publicity and training for these standards.

   4. 四是加强碳足迹核算标准国际交流衔接。包括加强国内外碳足迹标准协调衔接，积极参与碳足迹国际标准制定，推动碳足迹标准国际交流合作。Strengthening international exchange and alignment of carbon footprint accounting standards. This includes enhancing coordination between domestic and international carbon footprint standards, actively participating in the development of international carbon footprint standards, and fostering international exchanges and cooperation on carbon footprint standards.

B. 关于发布2023年电力碳足迹因子数据的公告

Announcement on the Release of the 2023 Electricity Carbon Footprint Factor Data

Note:

1. Three tables are released, and I translated them as follows.

2. This is China’s first release of carbon footprint factor for electricity. The default carbon footprint factor for electricity in international databases is outdated and tends to be higher than the actual figures, failing to reflect the green and low-carbon contributions brought about by China's recent electricity transition, according to the official explanation.

C. 关于印发《美丽城市建设实施方案》的通知

Notice on the Issuance of the "Implementation Plan for Beautiful City Development"

D. 关于印发《美丽乡村建设实施方案》的通知

Notice on the Issuance of the "Implementation Plan for Beautiful Countryside Development"

Note:

1. Apparently the above two implementation plans outline the details of the overarching Decision on Implementation of Launching Pilot Zones for the Beautiful China Initiative, so no more explanation here.

3. Documents from other relevant departments

A. 国家能源局关于印发《2025年能源监管工作要点》的通知

Notice from the National Energy Administration on the Issuance of the "Key Points of Energy Regulation Work for 2025"

B. 财政部等部门关于进一步扩大政府采购支持绿色建材促进建筑品质提升政策实施范围的通知

Notice from the Ministry of Finance and Other Departments on Further Expanding the Scope of Government Procurement to Support Green Building Materials and Enhance Construction Quality

C. 国家发展改革委等部门关于印发《绿色技术推广目录（2024年版）》的通知

Notice from the National Development and Reform Commission and Other Departments on the Issuance of the "Green Technology Promotion Catalog (2024 Edition)"

D. 工业和信息化部办公厅关于公布2024年度绿色制造名单的通知

Notice from the General Office of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on the Announcement of the 2024 Green Manufacturing List

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Google Sheet here for your reference and sharing. (Updated every month)