The State Council issued the 15th Five-Year Carbon Peaking Action Plan. It directs strengthening market mechanisms and enhances China’s national carbon emissions trading market (national ETS), gradually expanding coverage to petrochemicals, chemicals

2026-07-09

The State Council issued the 15th Five-Year Carbon Peaking Action Plan. It directs strengthening market mechanisms and enhances China’s national carbon emissions trading market (national ETS), gradually expanding coverage to petrochemicals, chemicals and other sectors. Industries with relatively stable total emissions will be prioritized for aggregate quota control; carbon allowance totals will be aligned with dual-control emission targets. The plan calls for prudent implementation of mixed free and paid allowance allocation. It instructs active development of a national voluntary greenhouse‑gas reduction trading market and promotion of certified voluntary emission reductions. Authorities will build a higher‑quality green certificate market, expand green‑certificate applications, and establish mid‑to‑long‑term green‑certificate and green‑power trading arrangements. Policy will improve coordination among the carbon market, green certificates and green power markets and explore mechanisms to reflect the low‑carbon value of nuclear and non‑electric uses of renewables. Target: over the 15th Five‑Year period unit‑product carbon emissions in sectors covered by the national ETS to fall about 3%; quota settlement completion rates for key emitters to remain at high levels.