On June 5, the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced that in order to accelerate the establishment of a carbon footprint management system, form a green and low-carbon supply chain and production and lifestyle, promote the development of new quality productivity, and help achieve the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will work with the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Human Resources and social protection, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Commerce, People's Bank of China, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, General Administration of Customs, State Administration of Market Supervision, State Administration of Financial Supervision, The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the National Data Bureau formulated and issued the "Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System"(hereinafter referred to as the "Plan").
The "Plan" proposes that the carbon footprint management system will be initially established by 2027. Formulate and publish general standards for national product carbon footprint accounting that are in line with international standards, formulate and issue about 100 key product carbon footprint accounting rules and standards, initially build a product carbon footprint factor database, initially establish a product carbon footprint identification certification and hierarchical management system, and make positive progress in the international convergence of key product carbon footprint rules. By 2030, the carbon footprint management system will be more complete and application scenarios will be more abundant. Formulated and promulgated carbon footprint accounting rules and standards for about 200 key products, basically established a product carbon footprint factor database with wide coverage, high data quality, and strong international influence, fully established product carbon footprint identification certification and hierarchical management systems, and continuously optimized and expanded product carbon footprint application environment. Product carbon footprint accounting rules, factor database and carbon labeling certification system are gradually in line with international standards, and substantively participate in the formulation of international rules for product carbon footprint.
The "Plan" proposes four main tasks, including establishing and improving the carbon footprint management system, building a multi-party carbon footprint work pattern, promoting international mutual trust in product carbon footprint rules, and continuously strengthening product carbon footprint capacity building, and is broken down into 22 specific tasks.
The details are as follows:
1. Publish general principles and standards for product carbon footprint accounting. Based on national conditions, we will do a good job in the localization of international common accounting methods and standards for product carbon footprint, prepare and publish national general principles for product carbon footprint accounting standards, clarify product carbon footprint accounting boundaries, accounting methods, release forms, data quality requirements and traceability requirements, etc., and unify Product carbon footprint accounting rules and standards requirements. (Responsible by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration for Market Regulation)
2. Release carbon footprint accounting rules and standards for key products. Priority will be given to key products such as electricity, coal, natural gas, fuel oil, steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement, fertilizer, hydrogen, lime, glass, ethylene, synthetic ammonia, calcium carbide, methanol, lithium batteries, new energy vehicles, photovoltaics and electronic appliances, and formulate and publish accounting rules and standards. In accordance with the principle of group standards being tested first and gradually transformed into industry standards or national standards, we will develop carbon footprint accounting rules and standards for key products. The industry competent department, together with relevant departments, will issue a recommended list of group standards. Group standards with a good implementation foundation are adopted as industry standards or national standards. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments are responsible according to their responsibilities)
3. Establish and improve the product carbon footprint factor database. Relying on the national greenhouse gas emission factor database, priority will be given to publishing product carbon footprint factors in key areas such as basic energy, bulk commodities and raw materials, semi-finished products and transportation, and a national product carbon footprint factor database will be established. Guide research institutions, industry associations, and enterprises to submit product carbon footprint factors and enrich and improve the national database. Industry authorities, qualified regions, industry associations and enterprises can collect and collate data resources in accordance with laws and regulations as needed, study product carbon footprint factor data in subdivided fields, and form a connection and supplement with the national database. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the State Administration for Market Supervision and other departments are responsible according to their responsibilities)
4. Establish a product carbon labeling certification system. Study and formulate management measures for product carbon labeling certification, and clarify the scope of application, labeling style, certification process, management requirements, etc. Study and formulate a product carbon footprint certification catalog and implementation rules. (The State Administration for Market Regulation takes the lead, with the participation of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments)
5. Establish a hierarchical management system for product carbon footprint. Government departments explore and carry out product carbon footprint grading assessment and management in key industries and sub-fields. Encourage enterprises to carry out carbon footprint evaluations on their own and supply chains with reference to relevant standards and requirements, and promote enterprises to tap carbon reduction potential, optimize supply chain management, and enhance the low-carbon competitiveness of products. (Responsible by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the National Development and Reform Commission)
6. Explore the establishment of a carbon footprint information disclosure system. On the premise of ensuring data security and intellectual property rights, enterprises are encouraged to publish product carbon footprint calculation results and reports in stages and steps through environmental and climate information disclosure, sustainable (development) information disclosure or voluntary evaluation and certification. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the People's Bank of China, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the China Securities Regulatory Commission are responsible according to their responsibilities)
7. Strengthen policy support and coordination. Promote the integration of product carbon footprint requirements into trade, finance, finance and industry policies to form a policy synergy to promote product carbon footprint. Encourage the inclusion of product carbon footprints into evaluation indicators such as green and low-carbon supply chains and products, and give full play to the positive role of product carbon footprints in promoting upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain to apply low-carbon technologies, implement low-carbon transformation, optimize energy resource allocation, and fulfill social responsibilities. Promote the organic connection between product carbon footprint and carbon emissions trading, voluntary greenhouse gas emission reduction trading, environmental impact assessment and other mechanisms, and coordinately promote carbon emission reduction. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council and other departments are responsible according to their responsibilities)
8. Increase financial support. Financing entities are encouraged to calculate product carbon footprints efficiently, accurately and in a timely manner, and on this basis, further calculate the carbon emissions of financing projects to provide necessary information for green finance and transformation financial services. Financial institutions are encouraged to enrich financial products and services based on carbon footprint information on the premise of legal compliance and controllable risks. Investment institutions and rating agencies are encouraged to incorporate product carbon footprints into environmental, social and governance (ESG) and sustainability due diligence. (The People's Bank of China, the State Administration of Financial Supervision, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment are responsible according to their responsibilities)
9. Enrich and expand and promote application scenarios. Incorporate product carbon footprint related requirements into government procurement demand standards in a timely manner, and encourage governments and state-owned enterprises to increase the procurement, promotion and application of products with low carbon footprints. Focusing on consumer goods such as electronic products, home appliances, decoration materials and automobiles, we will orderly promote the promotion and application of product carbon labeling in the field of consumer goods, guide shopping malls and e-commerce platforms and other companies to actively display product carbon labeling, and encourage consumers to purchase and Use low-carbon products. (The National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, the People's Bank of China, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council are responsible according to their responsibilities)
10. Encourage local pilots and policy innovation. Encourage qualified provinces and cities to carry out product carbon footprint pilots based on their own realities, explore innovation in policy support tools, increase financial support, and support priority procurement and use of low carbon footprints in public procurement, public consumption, green travel and carbon inclusive scenarios. product. Encourage qualified regions to carry out pilot trials to provide experience and reference for national product carbon footprint management. For related products for which the country has issued carbon footprint accounting rules and standards, various regions will no longer issue or promptly abolish relevant local rules and standards. (Participation by all relevant departments and implementation by various localities)
11. Encourage enterprises in key industries to try first. Select key foreign trade industries to carry out product carbon footprint pilots, encourage enterprises in key industries to establish digital product carbon footprint management systems, voluntarily submit product carbon footprint factors, guide industry enterprises to develop product carbon footprint accounting standards, scientifically conduct accounting, and explore docking with international rules. Encourage state-owned central enterprises to strengthen supply chain carbon footprint management and take the lead in carrying out product carbon footprint accounting, evaluation, certification and promotion. Encourage industry organizations and leading enterprises to promote the construction of service platforms and international cooperation related to carbon footprint information disclosure. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration for Market Regulation and other departments divide responsibilities according to their responsibilities, with the participation of relevant industry associations)
12. Actively respond to international carbon-related trade policies. Track and judge the development trends of carbon-related trade policies of major economies around the world and rules related to the carbon footprint of international products, pay attention to the carbon emission reduction policies and impacts of key industries such as shipping, focus on the challenges faced by foreign trade products and corporate demands, strengthen communication and docking with international trade-related parties, Strengthen dialogue and consultation on key issues such as product carbon footprint through bilateral and multilateral channels. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the State Administration for Market Supervision, and the General Administration of Customs are responsible according to their responsibilities)
13. Promote the international docking of product carbon footprint rules. For raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products involved in key foreign trade products, accelerate the release and update of localized product carbon footprint factors and promote international recognition, and promote the gradual realization of key product carbon footprint accounting evaluation and certification standards, institutional and personnel qualification assessment with major trading partners. Mutual recognition. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the General Administration of Customs, and the General Administration for Market Supervision are responsible according to their responsibilities)
14. Promote exchange and mutual recognition of product carbon footprint rules with countries co-building the "Belt and Road". Strengthen exchanges and cooperation with countries jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, and jointly promote the development of product carbon footprint accounting, evaluation and certification standards applicable to countries jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. Encourage domestic evaluation and certification agencies and relevant agencies of countries co-building the Belt and Road Initiative to participate in the formulation of rules and promote mutual recognition of carbon labels for products with countries co-building the Belt and Road Initiative. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State Administration for Market Regulation take the lead, and all relevant departments participate)
15. Actively participate in the formulation of international standards and rules. Strengthen dialogue and exchanges with international institutions such as the United Nations Economic and Social Council, the International Standards Organization, and the World Trade Organization, and actively participate in the formulation and revision of standards and rules related to the carbon footprint of international products. Guide industry associations and enterprises to actively participate in the formulation of international rules on the carbon footprint of specific products, enhance China's contribution, and strive to promote the formulation of international standards for product carbon footprint in the fields of lithium batteries, photovoltaics, new energy vehicles, and electronic appliances. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce, and the General Administration of Customs shall be responsible according to their responsibilities)
16. Strengthen international exchanges and cooperation. Encourage research institutions, industry associations and enterprises to strengthen international exchanges related to product carbon footprints, cooperate in the construction of product carbon footprint factor databases, standard formulation and professional talent training, ensure the security of carbon footprint information of my country's export products, and promote data interconnection. (All relevant departments are divided according to their responsibilities)
17. Strengthen product carbon footprint accounting capacity building. Increase the training of personnel related to product carbon footprint accounting, encourage institutions with training qualifications to carry out professional training for enterprises, improve the professional ability of employees, and strengthen professional support and guarantees. (Each department is divided into responsibilities according to its responsibilities)
18. Professional services to standardize product carbon footprint. Cultivate product carbon footprint accounting, evaluation and certification agencies with international influence, and encourage capable industry organizations and enterprises to establish product carbon footprint service agencies overseas. Improve the management system of certification bodies, include responsible entities for violations of laws and regulations into the list of relevant seriously dishonest entities in accordance with laws and regulations, and severely crack down on all types of fraud, false standards and indiscriminate bidding. (The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment take the lead, and all relevant departments participate)
19. Strengthen the training of talents with product carbon footprint. Vigorously cultivate professional talents with product carbon footprint and improve relevant vocational systems. Encourage ordinary universities and vocational schools to offer courses related to product carbon footprint, compile professional textbooks, and build a talent cultivation mechanism jointly built by the "government-school-enterprise association". Encourage industry associations and enterprises to carry out product carbon footprint talent training and exchange activities. (The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Resources and social protection, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments are responsible according to their responsibilities)
20. Strengthen the quality of product carbon footprint data. Comprehensively use technologies such as big data, blockchain, and industrial Internet identification analysis to improve the reliability and timeliness of data monitoring, collection, storage, accounting and verification. Promote the mutual verification and complementarity of product carbon footprint factor data with relevant data from the national carbon emissions trading market and the national emission permit management information platform. Strengthen the application of monitoring, measurement and statistical technologies in product carbon footprint work. Promote industry associations, research institutions, credit reporting agencies, rating agencies and other parties to strengthen the sharing and joint supervision of information related to product carbon footprints. (All relevant departments are divided according to their responsibilities)
21. Establish a quality measurement support and guarantee system for product carbon footprint data. Strengthen the development and application of smart carbon footprint measurement instruments. In the construction of carbon footprint accounting and carbon footprint factor database, priority is given to selecting data with measurement traceability to guide the traceability verification of carbon footprint data. (The State Administration for Market Regulation, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and the National Development and Reform Commission shall be responsible according to their responsibilities)
22. Strengthen product carbon footprint data security and intellectual property protection. Implement data security regulations and systems, strengthen product carbon footprint data circulation supervision, ensure the security and reliability of the data exchange environment, encourage digital technology companies to carry out cloud-based security services, and improve data security levels. Carry out statistical monitoring of green and low-carbon patented technologies, improve the review system for external transfer of intellectual property rights, and manage the external transfer of carbon footprint-related technologies involving national security in accordance with the law. Comprehensively sort out weak links and potential risk points in carbon footprint calculation of products in key foreign trade industries, and establish risk early warning and Incident Response Service mechanisms. (The Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the State Intellectual Property Office, the National Data Bureau and other departments are divided according to their responsibilities)