On May 29, 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) held a regular press conference, where the MEE spokesperson disclosed some significant information regarding the country’s carbon footprint management.
The press conference further clarified the key definitions as below:
· Carbon footprint: the sum of greenhouse gas emissions and removal of specific objects (include products, individuals, families, institutions or enterprises etc.) expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent. The more carbon-containing resources (such as oil and coal) are consumed, the greater the carbon dioxide emissions will be, and the greater the carbon footprint shall be, and vice versa.
· Product carbon footprint: as the most widely used concept in carbon footprint, it refers to the total carbon emissions generated during the entire life cycle of a product, including the production, transportation, distribution, use and discard of raw materials. It is an important indicator to measure the green and low-carbon level of production enterprises and products.
Other significant information published in the press conference is that, it introduced a latest policy document named the Implementation Plan on Establishing a carbon footprint Management system (hereinafter referred to as “the Implementation Plan”). the purpose of strengthening the management of carbon footprint, improving domestic rules and promoting international connectivity from the product carbon footprint perspective, and establishing a unified and standardized carbon footprint management system.
Arrangements and considerations of issuing the Implementation Plan include：
- Establish a sound carbon footprint management system. Carry out basic work on standards, factors, system rules and so on to promote the publication of product carbon footprint accounting standards and rules for key products. Establish and improve relevant systems on product carbon footprint, such as factor database and identification certification, classification management, information disclosure etc.
- Build a multi-participation working model. Strengthen policy coordination; increase financial support; encourage pilot and policy innovation om regional level. Such work should also encourage enterprises in key industries to participate and implement. The final goal is to form a interactive and sharing working model to improve works on carbon footprint.
- Promote international mutual trust in product carbon footprint rules. Follow up and study the developing trend of international carbon trade policies and product carbon footprint rules to promote the international docking on such systems. Improve exchange and mutual recognition of product carbon footprint rules in countries within the Belt and Road Initiative. Actively participate in the formulation of international standards and rules, and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation on carbon footprint.
- Optimize the capability level of product carbon footprint management. Improve capability building of product carbon footprint accounting; standardize professional services; cultivate professional personnel and institutions; strengthen data quality, data security management and intellectual property protection.
For the next steps, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will accelerate the research and publications of carbon footprint accounting methods and factors for key products such as electricity, coal and fuel oil, so as to provide a solid foundation for the carbon footprint accounting of downstream products.
China’s efforts for achieving its carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals will result in stricter and more comprehensive carbon emission/reduction requirements for enterprises and products, relevant foreign stakeholders are advised to follow closely on their corresponding sector on such policy documents and regulations to avoid potential market access issues.
The Implementation Plan be jointly issued by the MEE with other ministries and commissions of China on June 4, 2024. BESTAO will provide further briefing on it soon, please stay tuned.
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