On July 30, 2024, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the Action Plan for Further Strengthening the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Standardization and Measurement System (2024-2025) (hereinafter referred to as the Action Plan). This Action Plan builds on the framework outlined by the Implementation Plan for Establishing and Improving the Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Standardization and Measurement System (hereinafter referred to as the Implementation Plan). A representative from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) noted that, despite China’s progress in developing a standardization system, significant gaps persist in critical standards for carbon peak and neutrality, hindering the country’s efforts to fully support its green transition. The Action Plan aims to address these gaps by specifying goals, tasks, and measures to complete carbon-related standards and metrology within two years.
Targets
The Action Plan sets ambitious targets for standardization and metrology for 2024 and 2025:
Standardization. By the end of 2024, China plans to release 70 national standards covering carbon accounting, carbon footprints, carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). These standards aim to standardize carbon emission calculations across key industries. By the end of 2025, a comprehensive carbon emission accounting and evaluation system for enterprises, projects, and products is expected to be established. Energy efficiency standards in key sectors should reach international levels, and 100 standardized carbon management pilot projects will be launched.
Metrology. The Action Plan follows a strategy of coordinated development driven by demand and innovation. By 2025, the goal is to develop 20 metrological standards and reference materials, conduct 25 key technology studies on metrology, and formulate 50 national technical specifications in carbon metrology. Significant advancements in carbon metrology technologies are expected, along with enhanced metrological capabilities and improvements in the calibration of instruments and facilities.
Key tasks in standardization
The eight tasks related to standardization outlined in the Action Plan can be categorized based on the frameworks established in the Implementation Plan, namely: basic and generic standards, standards for CO2 emission reduction, and standards for CO2 removal. More specifically, the Action Plan emphasizes the importance of standardization in areas such as carbon accounting in key industries, carbon footprint, energy efficiency, carbon reduction and removal, green product evaluation, as well as recycling of key products and equipment. The ultimate goals are to achieve:
- Source reduction: Revising energy consumption limits and product efficiency standards for traditional high-energy-consuming industries.
- Process optimization: Developing standards for clean production and recycling to reduce carbon emissions.
- End-point carbon reduction: Advancing standards for carbon removal technologies.
Specifically, traditional industries such as thermal power, steel, petrochemical, chemical, nonferrous and building materials are identified as key areas of energy consumption and carbon emissions; consequently, they represent the main battleground for energy conservation and carbon reduction. The Action Plan proposes revising and tightening the energy consumption limit standards for key industries such as steel, oil refining, thermal power generation, pulp and paper, industrial caustic soda, and rare earth smelting, with the goal of comprehensively improving energy efficiency.
In conclusion, the Action Plan prioritizes China’s missions related to standardization and metrology within the broader framework established by the Implementation Plan. By addressing immediate needs and setting short-term goals, the Action Plan aims to drive China’s green transition while facilitating the country’s engagement with the international community. According to the Action Plan, China is committed to enhancing international cooperation in climate-related metrology and standards. The Action Plan seeks to leverage China’s role in global standard-setting bodies and contribute to international standards in areas such as electric vehicles, new type of electric power systems, and ecological carbon sinks.
