Briefings
China Issues Policy to Control New Production Capacity for Selected HFCs
December 28, 2021
On 28 December 2021, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly released a new policy document entitled the Circular on Strictly Controlling the First Batch of HFC Production Construction Projects. According to the Circular, as of 1 January 2022, it is prohibited to construct or expand the production facilities for five categories of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a and HFC-245fa, for controlled usages such as refrigerants and blowing agents. read more
China’s Zero-Waste Cities Plan to Mitigate Methane and Other Waste-Sector Emissions During the 14th Five-Year Period
December 16, 2021
On 15 December 2021, the China Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) issued the 14th Five-Year Work Plan on the Construction of Zero-Waste Cities, together with another 17 national ministries and agencies. The Work Plan identifies the sectors, timeline, and process for building 100 zero-waste cities by 2025. read more
China Announces Next Steps on Methane Emissions Control During the 14th Five-Year Period
November 25, 2021
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced next steps for methane emissions control during the 14th Five-Year period (2021-2025), at its monthly press conference in November 2021. These steps are intended to support China’s targets for achieving net-zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2060 and implement the U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s. read more
China’s Industry Green Development Plan Incorporates Actions to Address Non-CO2 Climate Pollutants
November 16, 2021
On 15 November 2021, the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the 14th Five-Year Plan on Industry Green Development (“Plan”). The Plan provides key targets, action items, and mechanisms for the green transformation of China’s industrial sectors. These sectors will play a significant role in achieving China’s goals of peaking carbon emissions […] read more
China Guides Further Action on Pollution and Climate Change, Strengthening Precedent for Ambition in Cutting Non-CO2 Climate Pollutants
November 2, 2021
On 2 November 2021, The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council issued an important document entitled Opinions on Strengthening the Battle for Pollution Prevention and Control (“Opinions”). Why this is important: The Opinions are another in a growing list of policy documents that China’s national policy authorities have issued. Documents […] read more
China Releases White Paper and Convenes Press Conference on Climate Change Ahead of COP26
October 28, 2021
China released a white paper entitled Responding to Climate Change: China’s Policies and Actions with examples of the country’s actions and achievements to date in addressing climate change, in preparation for COP26. Highlights include acceptance of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and the establishment of an alliance to control methane emissions in oil and gas enterprises. read more
Ahead of COP 26, China Submits Update to NDC and Mid-Century Development Strategy
October 28, 2021
China submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions and the Mid-Century, Long-Term Low Greenhouse Gas Emission Development Strategy (Mid-Century Strategy) to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The key targets provided in the updated NDCs and Mid-Century Strategy are consistent with the provisions in two policy documents that China issued on 22 and 24 October 2021: the Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy (22 Oct. 2021); and (2) the Action Plan for Achieving Carbon Peaking Before 2030 (24 Oct. 2021). read more
China Details Plans for Achieving Carbon-Peaking and Carbon-Neutrality Goals
October 25, 2021
On October 22 and 24, 2021, China issued two policy documents detailing its plans for achieving its carbon-peaking and carbon-neutrality goals: (1) the Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy; and (2) the Action Plan for Achieving Carbon Peaking Before 2030. General information and details relevant to the mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants, including methane, are provided below for each of the documents. read more
China Announces Plans to Further Implement Kigali Amendment to Phasedown HFCs
October 16, 2021
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) announced at a press briefing that it will issue additional HFC-related policies and measures to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer. read more
China Takes Steps to Address HFC-23 Emissions in Advance of International Ozone Day
September 15, 2021
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the Circular on Controlling the Emissions of HFC-23 By-products in advance of World Ozone Day. The Circular was issued as part of China’s efforts to implement the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. read more
