Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, 22 April

 Guidance on Advancing Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction Work to a Higher Standard and with Better Quality Issued by the General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council

(11 April 2026)

Energy conservation and carbon reduction constitute a key measure for peaking carbon dioxide emissions and achieving carbon neutrality and accelerating the green transition of development patterns. They also serve as an important underpinning for safeguarding national energy security and promoting industrial upgrading. To deliver energy conservation and carbon reduction work at a higher level and with better quality, this document is issued upon approval by the Party Central Committee and the State Council, with the following proposals put forward.

 I. General Requirements

We will follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC and all plenary sessions of the 20th CPC Central Committee, earnestly carry out the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session, and fully, accurately and comprehensively apply the new development philosophy. We will adhere to the general work tone of pursuing progress while maintaining stability, better combine the effective market with a capable government, balance development and security, and consistently uphold the priority of conservation. We will integrate energy conservation and carbon reduction into all aspects and the entire process of economic and social development, elevate energy conservation and carbon reduction to a higher level and quality, resolutely curb unreasonable growth in total energy consumption, continuously improve the output efficiency of energy and resources, and cut carbon emissions at the source. This will provide strong support for realizing carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and advancing the comprehensive green transition of economic and social development.

 II. Coordinate Energy Conservation, Carbon Reduction and Green Transition

(1) Coordinate energy conservation and carbon reduction with industrial upgrading

We will align energy conservation and carbon reduction with industrial planning, production capacity regulation and other policies. We will strengthen incentives and constraints and raise standards to reduce industrial energy dependence. We will vigorously popularize energy-saving, low-carbon and clean production technologies, equipment and products, advance market-based energy conservation and carbon reduction services, and support the digital, intelligent and green technological upgrading of traditional industries. We will strictly control high-energy-consumption and high-emission projects, phase out backward and inefficient production capacity, technologies and equipment in accordance with the law, and resolve structural contradictions in key industries. We will accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing, high-tech industries and modern services, vigorously foster green low-carbon industries, and nurture new industries and business models conducive to energy conservation and carbon reduction. We will build zero-carbon industrial parks and develop the "green production of green products" model powered by renewable energy.

(2) Coordinate energy conservation and carbon reduction with the green transition of energy

We will balance energy conservation, carbon reduction and energy security, rationally control total energy consumption, strictly limit fossil energy use, further cut coal and oil consumption, and manage new coal and oil demand. We will push forward the clean replacement of coal-fired boilers and industrial kilns, gradually phase out bulk coal consumption, and bring coal and oil consumption to peak levels step by step. We will keep coal-fired power capacity and output under reasonable control, vigorously develop non-fossil energy and new energy storage, speed up the development of a new power system, and rationally deploy pumped storage. We will develop new business models including direct green power connection and smart microgrids to boost renewable power absorption and ensure newly added clean power generation covers new electricity demand across the whole society.

We will raise energy production efficiency, promote high-efficiency extraction technologies for fossil fuels, and carry out energy-saving, carbon-reduction and flexibility retrofits for coal-fired power units. We will optimize the dispatching order and peak-shaving depth of coal-fired power, improve the power generation efficiency of wind and solar power as well as the energy conversion efficiency of energy storage facilities, and steadily lower the comprehensive line loss rate of power grids.

 III. Promote Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction in Key Sectors

(3) Boost industrial energy conservation and carbon reduction

We will raise energy efficiency across key sectors including iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals, chemicals and building materials. We will conduct in-depth energy audits covering production processes, key working procedures and major equipment, and launch a batch of industrial energy-saving and carbon-reduction projects.

We will deepen energy conservation and carbon reduction in industrial parks, promote shared heating and cooling infrastructure, advance energy exchange and cascading utilisation among enterprises, and support cross-industry coupling such as steel-chemical integration and refining-chemical integration. We will develop eco-industrial parks, optimise the overall energy system of parks and boost intensive, circular and economical use of resources.

(4) Strengthen energy conservation and carbon reduction in buildings

We will strictly enforce energy efficiency standards for new buildings, optimise energy-saving design, scale up ultra-low-energy buildings, and build safe, comfortable, green and smart high-quality housing. We will carry out energy-saving retrofits of existing buildings alongside old residential community renovation and clean heating programmes, and strengthen energy-saving management during building operation. A building energy efficiency rating system will be established.

We will optimise the energy mix for buildings, scale up building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and replace fossil fuel heating with waste heat and non-fossil energy where conditions permit. We will deepen heating metering reform, rationalise heating prices, support the upgrading of ageing heating pipe networks and the intelligent transformation of heating systems, and improve energy efficiency across all heating links.

(5) Advance energy conservation and carbon reduction in transportation

We will prioritise railway and waterway transport, improve the efficiency and green level of highway transport, enhance air traffic control efficiency, and develop multimodal transport. We will accelerate the construction of green transport infrastructure, upgrade transport terminals, expressways and other facilities to be greener and smarter, and improve the network of charging, battery-swapping and shore power facilities. Zero-carbon transport corridors will be developed.

We will popularise energy-saving and low-carbon vehicles and vessels, tighten energy consumption limits for motor vehicles, develop electric and hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks and green-fuel ships, and promote the blending of clean low-carbon fuels.

(6) Speed up energy conservation and carbon reduction for digital infrastructure

We will carry out energy-saving retrofits for computing power facilities, communication base stations and computer rooms, and strengthen oversight over equipment selection, cooling structures, cabinet power density and intelligent systems, with full follow-up on inspection results.

We will align energy conservation supervision with comprehensive administrative law enforcement, special equipment inspection and environmental law enforcement, and explore joint inter-departmental law enforcement to improve efficiency. We will build up capacity for energy conservation supervision and law enforcement at all levels, and encourage local governments to leverage professional resources and information technology to improve regulatory performance.

 V. Strengthen Supporting Safeguards for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction

(11) Improve laws and regulations

We will strengthen overall coordination of energy conservation and carbon reduction work, and accelerate revisions to the Energy Conservation Law. We will revise and promulgate the Renewable Energy Law. We will update administrative regulations including the Regulations on Energy Conservation in Civil Buildings and the Regulations on Energy Conservation in Public Institutions, and improve ministerial rules on energy conservation supervision and energy efficiency labeling. We will revise and issue the administrative measures for key energy-consuming and carbon-emitting entities.

(12) Improve standards and labeling systems

We will speed up the development of energy consumption and carbon emission caps for key industries and energy efficiency standards for energy-consuming products and equipment, and gradually tighten relevant indicators in line with carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, industrial development and technological progress. We will formulate national standards for energy conservation and carbon reduction covering new sectors and new business formats, and continuously improve supporting standards for energy and carbon emission measurement, monitoring and certification. We will consolidate data support for standard-setting and conduct follow-up assessments on standard implementation.

We will improve the green product certification and labeling system, strengthen the administration and implementation of energy efficiency labels, and establish a carbon labeling certification system for products.

(13) Enhance policy support

We will develop differentiated electricity pricing policies for key industrial sectors based on energy consumption and environmental performance, optimise the tiered electricity pricing system for residential users, and improve the time-of-use electricity pricing mechanism. We will refine regulatory policies on exports of high-energy-consuming products.

We will leverage government investment, and support eligible energy-saving and carbon-reduction projects through existing funding channels. We will strictly implement the mandatory and priority government procurement system for energy-saving products, and encourage all market players to raise procurement standards and the share of energy-saving products.

We will give full play to market mechanisms, implement preferential tax policies conducive to energy conservation and carbon reduction, and guide financial institutions to launch diversified financial products tailored to energy-saving and carbon-reduction needs in key sectors. We will study the establishment of a national low-carbon transition fund to support the green transition of traditional industries and resource-rich regions.

(14) Boost technological innovation and application

We will focus on high-efficiency energy-saving equipment, smart energy use and industrial decarbonisation, build science and technology innovation platforms, increase funding support through national key R&D programmes, and tackle core key technologies. We will improve the market-oriented green technology innovation system, support leading enterprises to set up major innovation consortia for energy-saving and low-carbon technologies, and develop enterprise technology centres.

We will update the catalogue of recommended energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies and equipment, and accelerate the rollout of advanced applicable equipment including energy-saving boilers, permanent magnet motors, high-efficiency refrigeration units, green lighting and high-temperature heat pumps.

(15) Upgrade foundational capacity

We will innovate talent training models, optimise academic programmes and talent evaluation systems for energy management, energy conservation and carbon reduction, improve relevant occupational standards, and deepen integration between industry and education and between science and education. We will provide professional training on energy conservation and carbon reduction for government officials, law enforcement personnel and staff of enterprises and public institutions.

We will give full play to industry associations and build capacity for energy conservation and carbon reduction across key sectors.

We will improve the annual and quarterly reporting systems for energy consumption and carbon emissions at national and provincial levels, and strengthen energy statistics covering coal and other energy sources, as well as key sectors including industry, construction and transportation.

 VI. Strengthen Organisation and Implementation

(16) Strengthen organisational leadership

All regions and departments shall strengthen overall planning and systematic policy-making under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and earnestly implement this Guidance based on local realities. Leading cadres at all levels should foster and uphold a sound view of political performance, and deliver solid energy conservation and carbon reduction outcomes in their respective jurisdictions and sectors.

Party committees and governments at all levels bear overall responsibility for energy conservation and carbon reduction within their administrative regions, with principal leading officials acting as primary persons-in-charge. The National Development and Reform Commission shall perform its duties as the leading coordinator for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and the competent department for energy conservation, make solid plans, push forward implementation, conduct follow-up evaluation, supervision and guidance, resolve major issues, and incorporate progress on energy conservation and carbon reduction targets into the comprehensive assessment for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.

All relevant departments shall perform their respective duties and cooperate closely to form synergy. State-owned enterprises, especially central SOEs, should play an exemplary leading role. State organs, people’s organisations, enterprises, public institutions and social organisations shall carry out energy conservation and carbon reduction work within their own entities. Major issues shall be reported to the Party Central Committee and the State Council in accordance with formal procedures.

(17) Launch nationwide public campaigns

We will continue to organise events such as the National Ecological Day, National Energy Conservation Week and National Low-Carbon Day, advocate a simple, moderate, green, low-carbon and healthy lifestyle and consumption pattern, and boost the intrinsic motivation of the whole society for energy conservation and carbon reduction. CPC members should set an example and actively practice green and low-carbon behaviours.

We will open up channels for public oversight, widely share advanced experience and models, and expose cases of excessive energy use and waste.

(18) Deepen international cooperation

We will expand dialogue and practical cooperation on energy conservation and carbon reduction, take an active part in global climate governance, and showcase China’s achievements in green transition. We will draw on international best practices, strengthen technological cooperation on energy conservation and carbon reduction, boost trade in energy-saving and low-carbon products, and encourage Chinese energy service companies to go global.

We will participate in the formulation and revision of international standards on energy conservation and carbon reduction, and promote mutual recognition of relevant standards and labels worldwide.

Source: Xinhua News Agency