China has announced plans to establish an initial carbon footprint management system by 2027, as part of its efforts to achieve its carbon-neutral goal. The system is meant to create a more comprehensive and unified set of standards to measure carbon emissions across various sectors.
According to the plan issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and other government bodies, the new system will focus on releasing carbon footprint calculation standards for about 100 major products by 2027, and increasing that number to 200 by 2030. The priorities will include products such as coal, steel, natural gas, aluminum, lithium batteries, and new energy vehicles.
The move is aimed at expanding carbon trading to sectors like steel and cement, and addressing the potential impact of Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will impose tariffs on high-carbon imports. Chinese officials have expressed concerns that CBAM unfairly penalizes the country’s exporters and does not fully consider China’s efforts to reduce emissions.
The plan states that China will closely monitor carbon-related trade policies globally, build mutual trust, and promote the international alignment of carbon footprint standards. It also encourages the use of these new standards to promote low-carbon consumption, with local governments being urged to develop pilot programs and new policies that could incentivize enterprises and individuals to purchase cleaner products.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by China to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of key industries by an amount equivalent to about 1% of the 2023 national total through efficiency gains in various sectors, including steel production and transportation.