On July 31, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) officially released the 15th Five-Year (2026-2030) Plan for Green and Low-Carbon Industrial Development, setting a clear roadmap for the industrial sector to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 while boosting green competitiveness and technological innovation.
By 2030, the Plan sets the goal of further optimizing industrial structures and energy mixes, with CO₂ emissions from the industrial sector reaching their peak. Energy and resource efficiency will steadily improve, the share of green energy will rise significantly, green manufacturing and service systems will become more robust, and the competitive edge of green and low-carbon industries will be consolidated. The Plan also outlines seven indicative targets, including reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions per unit of industrial value-added.
To achieve these targets, the Plan focuses on seven priority areas, which fall into three broad categories: one major action, four capability-building efforts, and two system-enhancement initiatives.
The one core action is the industrial carbon peaking action. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, steadily advancing and achieving carbon peaking in the industrial sector is the foremost priority. Given the significant progress already made in industrial restructuring and green transition, greater emphasis must now be placed on optimizing the energy mix to support this transformation. To this end, the Plan lays out tasks to promote the coordinated restructuring of industry and energy use, accelerate electrification and green energy adoption, and intensify energy-saving and carbon-reduction efforts in key sectors.
The four capabilities are designed to boost green value creation, strengthen the supply of green equipment and products, drive low-carbon technology innovation, and deepen the integration of smart and green manufacturing. For green value creation, it pushes for cleaner traditional industries, stronger green sectors, and fresh momentum in emerging fields. When it comes to equipment and product supply, the goal is to support green shifts across energy, transport, construction, agriculture, and consumption. On the technology front, the emphasis is on R&D, industrial scaling, and wider deployment of proven solutions. Finally, the Plan champions smart-green integration, calling on digital tools and AI to remake production systems and quicken the pace of change.
Beyond the four capabilities, the Plan also focuses on two systems. One is industrial resource recycling, which targets high-value reuse of renewable resources, broader use of bulk solid waste, and water efficiency. The other is green manufacturing and services, which covers scaling up green factories and parks, greening supply chains, encouraging green design, and developing new service models to cement the “golden brand” of green manufacturing.
MIIT will lead the implementation and monitor progress on key targets. The Plan calls for closer coordination between industrial, energy, technology, fiscal, and financial policies, with industry associations bridging the gap between businesses and the government. On regulation, the government will draft rules for spent power battery recycling and revise departmental rules on energy saving, carbon reduction, water conservation, and resource utilization. Standard-setting will also accelerate, with 500 green and low-carbon standards to be developed or revised.
For European stakeholders, the Plan is a development worth noting. China’s efforts to strengthen green standards and carbon accounting systems may bring new compliance considerations for businesses operating in its market. At the same time, the Plan opens up potential areas for dialogue on standard alignment, carbon markets, and battery recycling where mutual interests could be explored. Competition is part of the picture, but continued engagement on rules and technical standards may help reduce uncertainty and keep cooperation on track.
Source: https://wap.miit.gov.cn/zwgk/zcwj/wjfb/tz/art/2026/art_c46889040a4e48629dc3a60b0e137d25.html
https://wap.miit.gov.cn/jgsj/jns/lszz/art/2026/art_6af45597bd144a0fb498f406fc408353.html
