On October 18, 2022, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) partnered with 8 other ministries and jointly issued the Implementation Plan for Establishing and Improving the Measurement System for Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Standards (hereinafter referred to as “the Implementation Plan”).

The legal basis of the Implementation Plan covers a series of national issues such as the Working Guidance for Carbon Dioxide Peaking and Carbon Neutrality in Full and Faithful Implementation of the New Development Philosophy, the Outline for National Standardization Development, the Action Plan for Carbon Dioxide Peaking Before 2030, and the Measurement Development Plan (2021-2035). The Implementation Plan is considered a significant component of China’s “1+n” policy for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals (hereinafter referred to as “the dual-carbon goals”). This document not only raises concrete working requirements for the construction of a measurement standard system but also serves as a roadmap for creating a fully covered, multi-dimensional and multi-layered standard system that would support China’s dual-carbon goals. 

The main content covered in the Implementation Plan is presented below:

·   Key goals including quantitative objectives:

    By 2025, construct a preliminary standard measurement system for dual carbon; carbon measurement and verification standards that would cover the main emission sectors. The development of critical technologies such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) should be coordinated with relevant standard development. Newly drafting/developing no less than 200 measurement standards, and no less than 200 technical specifications would be formulated/revised; finish more than 1000 national and sector standards (including foreign language versions); practically participate in drafting or revision of no less than 30 international standards.

    By 2030, construct a better standard measurement system for dual carbon. Key technical parameters of energy consumption in critical sectors would reach an international level; the guiding and constraining role of standards will be reinforced; the working focus of standardization work would switch from supporting carbon peak to carbon neutrality.

    By 2060, the measurement system would be established with advanced technology, management

·   Framework: and 3 specific measurement systems